A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bickerton family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 5750 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
arms pheon arrowheadReadiness for battle, and the broad arrow of the sovereign
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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. on a chev. sa. three pheons of the field”
ChesterBickerton · Chester, c. 1330
Where the Bickerton Arms Were Recorded
Chester
Map of England showing where the Bickerton arms are recorded
The Bickerton arms were recorded in Chester, c. 1330.
Cheshire was governed apart from the rest of England for much of its history, with its own courts and its own gentry. That separateness bred a strong local landed class, and landed families 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.
Edward III of England
Sovereign of the period
Edward III of England
1327–1377
Reigning in England when the Bickerton 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 Chester.
Origin & History of the Bickerton Family in England
The surname Bickerton is a locational name that originated from the small village of Bickerton in the county of Cheshire, England. During the medieval period, it was common for people to adopt the name of their home village as a way to identify themselves when they moved to larger towns or cities. By the year 1330, records confirm that members of the family were well-established in the nearby city of Chester. At that time, Chester served as a vital regional hub for trade and administration. The family likely moved from the rural countryside to this urban center to pursue opportunities in commerce or local government. Over the following centuries, the name spread from its Cheshire roots to other parts of England as descendants sought new lands and livelihoods. This transition from a specific village identity to a recognized family name reflects the broader patterns of migration and social change in fourteenth-century England.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
Colours
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)
“Ar. an eagle displ. gu. beaked and membered sa”
Scotlandc. 1748
Where the Bickerton Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Bickerton arms are recorded
The Bickerton arms were recorded in Scotland, c. 1748.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Edinburgh.
Edinburgh was the seat of Scotland's government, its courts and its heralds. Families with business there settled nearby, and being close to where arms were recorded is exactly why so many of them appear.
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 Scotland in this period.
George II of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George II of Great Britain
1727–1760
Reigning in England when the Bickerton arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Scotland
Scottish heraldry is unique because it treats a coat of arms as a piece of personal property protected by law. Only one person can own a specific design at any given time. When a family grows, the head keeps the original shield while other relatives must apply for their own distinct version with slight changes to prove their specific identity.
Granting authority
The Court of the Lord Lyon acts as the official body that regulates and controls all heraldic matters throughout Scotland.
How they got arms
Individuals obtain a legal right to their arms through a formal petition process that confirms their identity and family connection.
Where arms were recorded
All valid coats of arms are officially entered into the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings starting from 1672.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Scotland.
Origin & History of the Bickerton Family in Scotland
The surname Bickerton is rooted in a place-name of English origin, but the family established a notable presence in Scotland by the mid-eighteenth century. While the name originally referred to a settlement in Cheshire, members of the family migrated north and integrated into the urban life of Edinburgh by 1748. During this period, Edinburgh was a center of the Scottish Enlightenment, and families like the Bickertons often participated in the city’s growing professional and mercantile classes. Records from this era suggest that these early residents were part of the social fabric of the capital during a time of rapid economic change. By settling in such a prominent location, the family became part of the historical narrative of Scotland’s most significant city. Their presence in the city archives during the mid-1700s marks a clear point where the family transitioned from their earlier origins into the documented history of the Scottish Lowlands.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bicker-tun
A beekeeper's farmstead or a settlement near a stream.
This name
BickertonDerived from an Old English habitational name referring to a farmstead associated with a beekeeper.
also spelled
Bickertoun
Related arms
Busfeildrecorded with Bickerton, same area
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
Mills, A.D., A Dictionary of British Place Names, 2011
The National Archives, Cheshire Plea Rolls, 1330
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
arms pheon arrowheadReadiness for battle, and the broad arrow of the sovereign
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
arms pheon arrowheadReadiness for battle, and the broad arrow of the sovereign
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
