A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Beste family of England.
Reg. 0538 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
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Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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 chev. ar. betw. nine arrows or, three, three, and three, each parcel two in saltire and one in pale, barbed and banded of the second”
YorkMiddleton Quernhow · York, c. 1620
Where the Beste Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Beste arms are recorded
The Beste arms were recorded in York, c. 1620.
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 Beste 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 York.
Origin & History of the Beste Family in England
The surname Beste is rooted in the linguistic traditions of medieval England, where it functioned as a descriptive nickname. Derived from the Middle English word "beste," which translates to "beast," the name was likely bestowed upon an individual who possessed strength, courage, or perhaps a particularly wild spirit. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the historic city of York. Records confirm that members of the Beste family were living in this region by 1620, a time when York served as a vital northern hub for trade and administration. These early ancestors were part of the growing urban population that helped shape the social and economic landscape of the city during the reign of King James I. Their continued residency in the area suggests they were well-integrated into the local community, contributing to the daily life and development of the city for generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Best
Derived from the Middle English word for a beast or animal.
This name
BesteA nickname for someone considered to be the best or a name for a herdsman.
also spelled
Beast
Related arms
Bestsimilar arms
Beastvariant spelling
Allansonrecorded with Beste, same area
Herbertrecorded with Beste, same area
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
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.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
arrowReadiness for battle, and affliction endured
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
arrowReadiness for battle, and affliction endured
