A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Betham family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)“Lozengy ar. and sa”
The Betham arms were recorded in Westmoreland, c. 1620.
Westmorland was fell country in the north-west, farmed in small holdings by families who stayed put. Land changed hands rarely there, and families who held on for generations ended up with 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.
Reigning in England when the Betham arms are first recorded.
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.
The family name Betham traces its roots to the rugged landscape of Westmoreland in Northern England. By the early 17th century, the family was firmly established in this region, where they were deeply connected to the local land and rural community. The name itself is thought to be locational, likely derived from an ancient settlement or a specific geographical feature in the area. During the 1620s, members of the Betham family were active participants in the social and administrative life of Westmoreland, often appearing in parish registers and legal documents as landowners or respected members of the local gentry. Their presence in this part of England reflects a long history of stability, as the family remained rooted in the northern counties for generations, helping to shape the local history of the region through their agricultural and civic contributions.
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth sonSir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)“Or, three fleurs-de-lis az”
The Betham arms were recorded in Ulster King, c. 1645.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Dublin.
Dublin was the seat of government in Ireland and the place where grants were sought and recorded. Families with business at the castle or the courts settled nearby, and settling there put their arms on record.
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 Ireland in this period.
Reigning in England when the Betham arms are first recorded.
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
The Betham family established a notable presence in Ireland by the mid-seventeenth century, with records confirming their residence in Dublin as early as 1645. While the name likely originated from English roots, the family quickly integrated into the administrative and social fabric of Irish life during a period of significant political upheaval. Over the following decades, members of the family became deeply involved in the civic affairs of the capital city. They often held positions that required literacy and legal knowledge, which allowed them to document their own history and contribute to the growth of Dublin’s professional class. By settling in a major urban center like Dublin, the Bethams were able to maintain connections to both local Irish society and the broader British Isles, ensuring their name remained a consistent part of the historical record throughout the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.
Derived from the Old English words for house and homestead.
