A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Betts family of England.
Reg. 9314 · 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
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Sa. on a bend ar. three cinquefoils gu”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Betts Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Betts arms are recorded
The Betts 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 Betts 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 Betts Family in England
The surname Betts is a patronymic name, which means it originated as a way to identify a person as the son or descendant of someone named Bartholomew. Over many centuries, the name Bartholomew was shortened to the nickname Bate or Bat, and the addition of the letter s indicated that a person belonged to that family line. By the time members of the family were documented in York in 1620, the name had already been established in England for several generations. During this era, families often lived in the same geographic regions for centuries, and those settled in York were likely part of the growing merchant or artisan classes that defined the city’s economy. The transition from a simple nickname to a permanent hereditary surname reflects the way English society began to organize its population for legal and tax purposes during the late Middle Ages and the early modern period.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Elizabeth
Hebrew name meaning pledged to God or God is my oath.
This name
BettsA medieval diminutive form of the name Elizabeth, functioning as a patronymic surname.
also spelled
Bets
Bettes
Bettis
Related arms
Bettessimilar arms
Betsvariant spelling
Belgraverecorded with Betts, same area
Colepeperrecorded with Betts, same area
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
York City Archives, York City Chamberlains' Accounts, 1620
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
