A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bew family of England.
Reg. 9355 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
cupFaith, office, and a trust discharged
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Ar. two lions pass. guard. sa. on a chief of the second three covered cups or”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Bew Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Bew arms are recorded
The Bew 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 Bew 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 Bew Family in England
The surname Bew is a locational and descriptive name that likely originated in northern England, where it became firmly established by the early seventeenth century. Historical records confirm that members of the Bew family were living in the city of York by 1620, where they were active participants in the local community. The name itself is thought to be a variation of the Old French word "beau," which means handsome or fair, and it was often used as a nickname for a person with an attractive appearance. As the family grew, they integrated into the social and economic fabric of Yorkshire, often working as merchants or tradespeople in the bustling urban center of York. Over the following generations, the family name remained concentrated in this region, reflecting the deep roots that families often established in specific English counties during the early modern period.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Beaw
Old English term referring to a barley or grain field.
This name
BewA topographic name for someone who lived near a barley field or farm.
also spelled
Beu
Bewue
Beue
Related arms
Beauvariant spelling
Beawvariant 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, 1991
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 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
lionCourage, strength and royalty
cupFaith, office, and a trust discharged
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
cupFaith, office, and a trust discharged
