A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bettes family of England.
Reg. 1365 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
cinquefoilHope and joy
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Sa. on a bend or, cottised ar. three cinquefoils sa”
HampshireHampshire, c. 1620
Where the Bettes Arms Were Recorded
Hampshire
Map of England showing where the Bettes arms are recorded
The Bettes arms were recorded in Hampshire, c. 1620.
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 Bettes 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 Hampshire.
Origin & History of the Bettes Family in England
The surname Bettes is rooted in the medieval period of England and likely originated as a shortened form of the name Bartholomew. During the Middle Ages, it was common for people to adopt nicknames or variations of given names to distinguish themselves within small communities. By the early 17th century, the Bettes family had established a notable presence in the county of Hampshire. Records from this era indicate that members of the family were active participants in local life, often working as skilled tradespeople or landowners in the rural landscape of southern England. Their presence in Hampshire by 1620 suggests that the family was well-settled in the region long before the period of mass migration to the American colonies. As the family grew, they contributed to the local economy and social structure of their parishes, leaving behind a legacy that is still reflected in the regional history of the area.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Elizabeth
Hebrew name meaning pledged to God or God is my oath.
This name
BettesA diminutive form of the name Elizabeth, historically used as a pet name.
also spelled
Betts
Bettis
Related arms
Bettssimilar arms
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
Hampshire Archives, Hampshire Parish Registers and Bishop’s Transcripts, 1620
Reaney, Percy Hide, A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
cinquefoilHope and joy
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
cinquefoilHope and joy
