Map of England showing where the Bielby arms are recorded
The Bielby 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 Bielby 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 Bielby Family in England
The surname Bielby is a locative name, meaning it originated from a specific place rather than a trade or a personal characteristic. It is derived from the village of Bielby, which is located in the East Riding of Yorkshire. The name itself comes from Old Norse roots, likely combining a personal name with the word "by," which means a farmstead or a village. By the early 17th century, members of the family had established a presence in the city of York. During this period, York was a major hub for trade and administration in Northern England, and families often moved from rural villages into the city to pursue new economic opportunities. Records from 1620 confirm that the Bielby name was well-established within the region, reflecting the family's deep historical connection to the landscape and social structure of Yorkshire.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Beli
Old Norse personal name meaning bright or shining.
This name
BielbyA habitational name derived from a village in Yorkshire meaning Beli's farmstead.
also spelled
Bielby
Beilbie
Belby
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Smith, A. H., The Place-Names of the East Riding of Yorkshire and York, 1937
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records
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saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
