A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Besley family of England.
Reg. 7806 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Quarterly, or and sa. a bend gu”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Besley Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Besley arms are recorded
The Besley 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 Besley 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 Besley Family in England
The surname Besley is classified as a locational name, which suggests that the earliest members of the family likely took their identity from a specific place or settlement. While the name has roots in various parts of England, records confirm that the Besley family was well-established in the historic city of York by 1620. During this era, York served as a vital northern hub for trade and administration, placing the family at the heart of a bustling urban center. Families living in such cities during the early seventeenth century were often involved in local commerce, crafts, or the legal professions that supported the regional government. By maintaining a presence in York, the Besley family became part of the long-standing social fabric of northern England, contributing to the growth and daily life of one of the country’s most significant historical cities.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Beosel
An Old English personal name derived from a woodland clearing.
This name
BesleyRefers to someone who lived at or near a clearing in the woods.
also spelled
Beseley
Besleigh
Beselie
Related arms
Beseleyvariant 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., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
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bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
