Map of England showing where the Berrow arms are recorded
The Berrow arms were recorded in Gloucestershire, c. 1620.
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 Berrow 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 Gloucestershire.
Origin & History of the Berrow Family in England
The surname Berrow is a locative name, meaning it was originally taken from a specific place to identify a person. Etymologically, the name is derived from the Old English word "beorh," which refers to a hill, a mound, or a burial tumulus. Families bearing this name likely lived near a prominent hill or a landmark mound in the English countryside. By the year 1620, historical records confirm that members of the Berrow family were well-established in the county of Gloucestershire. During this period, families often settled in rural parishes where they worked as farmers or local tradespeople. Because the name describes a physical feature of the landscape, it likely emerged independently in different areas where such hills were common, linking the family identity closely to the geography of the West Country.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Beorh
Old English term for a hill, mound, or barrow.
This name
BerrowRefers to someone who lived near a prominent hill or burial mound.
also spelled
Berrow
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Gloucestershire Archives, Diocese of Gloucester Records, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
bearStrength, cunning and protection of kin
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
bearStrength, cunning and protection of kin
