A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Berwick family of England.
Reg. 9799 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bearStrength, cunning and protection of kin
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. three bears' heads erased sa. muzzled gu”
DurhamDurham, c. 1620
Where the Berwick Arms Were Recorded
Durham
Map of England showing where the Berwick arms are recorded
The Berwick arms were recorded in Durham, c. 1620.
Durham was governed by its bishop rather than the crown for most of its history, with its own courts and its own landed class. That separate world produced a tight group of families, nearly all of whom held 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 Berwick 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 Durham.
Origin & History of the Berwick Family in England
The surname Berwick is a locational name that originated from the Old English words bere, meaning barley, and wic, meaning an outlying farm or settlement. Families carrying this name were historically tied to the landscape of Northern England, particularly in the region surrounding the River Tweed and the county of Durham. By the early 17th century, records confirm that members of the Berwick family were well-established residents of Durham by 1620. During this era, families with this name were often involved in local agriculture or trade within the growing northern towns. As the family spread throughout the region, they became part of the local social fabric, contributing to the development of their communities through their work and daily lives. The name served as a clear identifier of their geographic roots, linking them to the fertile lands and historic settlements of the English border country.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
bere-wic
Old English words for barley and an outlying farm or settlement.
This name
BerwickRefers to a person who lived at a barley farm or a dependent outlying village.
also spelled
Barwick
Berwyk
Berwyck
Related arms
Barwickvariant spelling
Barwickevariant spelling
Berwyckvariant spelling
Berwykevariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Ekwall, Eilert. The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Place-names. 1960
Reaney, P.H. A Dictionary of British Surnames. 1958
Durham County Record Office. Durham Bishopric Estates 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.
bearStrength, cunning and protection of kin
bearStrength, cunning and protection of kin
