Map of England showing where the Bierce arms are recorded
The Bierce 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 Bierce 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 Bierce Family in England
The family name Bierce is believed to have originated in England, where early records place members of the family in the city of York by the year 1620. The name likely evolved from a descriptive term or a location-based identifier, which was a common practice for surnames during the Middle Ages. As families settled in specific regions, their names often shifted in spelling to match local dialects or the way a clerk recorded the sound of the name. By the early 17th century, the Bierce family was established enough to appear in regional documentation, suggesting they were part of the growing middle class in Northern England. This period was a time of significant social change, and the movement of families like the Bierces helped shape the local history of Yorkshire before many individuals eventually sought new opportunities across the Atlantic.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
byrce
Old English term referring to a steep or precipitous place.
This name
BierceA topographic name for someone who lived near a steep slope or cliff.
also spelled
Berchey
Bercher
Berck
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Banks, Charles Edward. The Planters of the Commonwealth: A Study of the Emigrants and Emigrations in Colonial Times: 1620–1640. 1930
Bardsley, Charles Wareing. A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames with Special American Instances. 1901
The National Archives (UK). State Papers Domestic, James I. Series SP 14
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
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
