A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Besford family of England.
Reg. 3385 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
applePeace, plenty and long-standing settlement
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Gu. a fesse betw. six pears or”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Besford Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Besford arms are recorded
The Besford 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 Besford 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 Besford Family in England
The family name Besford originates from a locative source, meaning it was likely adopted by individuals who lived in or near a place called Besford. In England, the most prominent location bearing this name is a village in Worcestershire, though the family eventually established a notable presence in the northern city of York by 1620. During the seventeenth century, families often moved between regions to pursue new trade opportunities or to seek employment in growing urban centers like York. As these early family members settled into the city, they became part of the local community, contributing to the social and economic life of the region. While the name remains tied to its geographic roots, the migration of the Besford family to York highlights the mobility of people during this era as they sought to build new lives away from their ancestral homes.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Befer-ford
A river crossing frequented by beavers.
This name
BesfordDerived from an Old English place name referring to a ford associated with beavers.
also spelled
Besfurd
Besfort
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
applePeace, plenty and long-standing settlement
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
applePeace, plenty and long-standing settlement
