A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bidwell family of England.
Reg. 8234 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Per saltire or and gu. four roundles, each charged with a martlet all counterchanged”
DevonshireDevonshire, c. 1620
Where the Bidwell Arms Were Recorded
Devonshire
Map of England showing where the Bidwell arms are recorded
The Bidwell arms were recorded in Devonshire, 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 Bidwell 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 Devonshire.
Origin & History of the Bidwell Family in England
The surname Bidwell is a locational name that originated in England, specifically derived from places named Bidwell in counties such as Bedfordshire, Devonshire, and Northamptonshire. The name itself is composed of two Old English words, "byde" and "wella," which together translate to a dwelling or settlement near a spring or stream. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the county of Devonshire. Records from this period indicate that members of the Bidwell family were active participants in the social and economic life of the region before some eventually chose to migrate across the Atlantic. This transition from a localized English family to an international lineage highlights the movement of people during the early colonial era, as families sought new opportunities while maintaining the identity rooted in their ancestral English landscape.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bida and wella
Old English for a personal name and a water spring or stream.
This name
BidwellA topographical name referring to someone who lived near a spring belonging to a person named Bida.
also spelled
Bydwell
Bidwill
Bydwill
Related arms
Bydewell, or Bidwellsame 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
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Devon Heritage Centre, Parish Registers of Devon, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
