A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Beswick family of England.
Reg. 8851 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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. six bezants, three, two, and one, on a chief or, a lion pass. az. armed and langued of the first”
KentKent, c. 1620
Where the Beswick Arms Were Recorded
Kent
Map of England showing where the Beswick arms are recorded
The Beswick arms were recorded in Kent, c. 1620.
Kent sits between London and the short crossing to Europe, and the trade passing through made it wealthy. Merchant families bought land with that money, and it was landowners who took coats of 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 Beswick 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 Kent.
Origin & History of the Beswick Family in England
The surname Beswick is of locational origin, meaning it was first adopted by individuals who lived in or near a specific place. The name is derived from the Old English words "bēos," meaning bent grass or reeds, and "wīc," which refers to a dwelling or a specialized farm. By the early 17th century, members of the Beswick family had established a notable presence in the county of Kent. During this period, families often moved across England to seek new opportunities in trade or agriculture, and the presence of the Beswick name in Kent by 1620 suggests that early ancestors were likely settled as landowners or skilled tradespeople within the local community. As the family grew, they integrated into the social and economic life of the region, helping to shape the history of their local parishes through their daily work and community involvement.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Besi + wic
Old English personal name Besi and a dwelling or specialized farm.
This name
BeswickA habitational name referring to a farm or settlement belonging to a person named Besi.
also spelled
Beswycke
Related arms
Beswyckevariant spelling
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, 1958
Ekwall, Eilert, The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Place-names, 1960
The National Archives, Prerogative Court of Canterbury and Related Probate Jurisdictions: Will Registers, 1620
Kent History and Library Centre, Parish Registers of Kent, 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
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
lionCourage, strength and royalty
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
lionCourage, strength and royalty
