A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Berd family of England.
Reg. 7303 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
cross symbolChristian faith and service
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ar. on a bend sa. three crosses tau of the field”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Berd Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Berd arms are recorded
The Berd arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried arms.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Berd arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of England.
Origin & History of the Berd Family in England
The surname Berd has roots that stretch back to medieval England, where it likely originated as a descriptive nickname for a person with a prominent beard. By the year 1620, historical records confirm that members of the Berd family were well-established residents of York. During this period, York was a bustling center of trade and religious life, and families living there were often involved in the city’s influential merchant guilds or local craft industries. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of Northern England, contributing to the local economy and community life. The name serves as a linguistic link to the past, reflecting how common physical traits often evolved into permanent family identifiers during the Middle Ages.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Beorn
An Old English word meaning warrior or bear.
This name
BerdA habitational or occupational name derived from a bear-like person or a dweller near a bear-infested area.
also spelled
Bird
Byrd
Related arms
Beardvariant spelling
Birdvariant spelling
Byrdvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
The National Archives, York City Archives: Chamberlains' Accounts, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
cross symbolChristian faith and service
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
cross symbolChristian faith and service
