A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bilk family of England.
Reg. 0905 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Gu. a chev. betw. three leopards' faces ar”
KentCoperham · Kent, c. 1620
Where the Bilk Arms Were Recorded
Kent
Map of England showing where the Bilk arms are recorded
The Bilk arms were recorded in Kent, c. 1620.
Kent sits between London and the short crossing to Europe, and the trade passing through made it wealthy. Merchant families bought land with that money, and it was landowners who took coats of 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 Bilk 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 Kent.
Origin & History of the Bilk Family in England
The family name Bilk is deeply rooted in the historical landscape of Kent, England, where records confirm the presence of family members as early as 1620. During the seventeenth century, Kent was a region defined by its bustling ports and rich agricultural lands, which likely shaped the daily lives of those bearing the name. The name itself is thought to be topographical in origin, potentially derived from early Middle English terms describing specific land features or small settlements near the coast. As the family established themselves in this southeastern corner of England, they became part of a vibrant local community that navigated the significant social and economic shifts of the Stuart period. By maintaining a presence in Kent, the early Bilk family contributed to the long history of a region known for its strategic importance and its role in the development of English trade and society.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
bilk
A Middle English term meaning to cheat or deceive.
This name
BilkAn occupational or descriptive nickname for a person considered a swindler or a cheat.
also spelled
Bylk
Bylke
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Everitt, Alan, The Community of Kent and the Great Rebellion, 1966
Kent Archives, Quarter Sessions Records: Q/SR, 1620
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
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
lionCourage, strength and royalty
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
