A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bilson family of England.
Reg. 9283 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
applePeace, plenty and long-standing settlement
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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 double rose, the inside gu. the other ar. and a pomegranate or, seeded ppr. both stalked and leaved vert, and conjoined in pale”
HampshireHampshire, c. 1620
Where the Bilson Arms Were Recorded
Hampshire
Map of England showing where the Bilson arms are recorded
The Bilson arms were recorded in Hampshire, 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 Bilson 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 Hampshire.
Origin & History of the Bilson Family in England
The surname Bilson is a patronymic name, which means it originated as a way to identify a person as the son of someone named Bill or Billi. This naming convention was common in medieval England as populations grew and people needed more specific ways to distinguish themselves from their neighbors. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the county of Hampshire. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Bilson family were settled in this region, where they were often involved in local administration and the agricultural life of the English countryside. Over time, the family name became firmly rooted in the local history of southern England, reflecting the broader patterns of migration and social development that defined the era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bill
A diminutive form of the Germanic name William meaning resolute protector.
This name
BilsonA patronymic surname indicating the son of Bill or the son of William.
also spelled
Bylson
Bilston
Related arms
Bilstonvariant spelling
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, 1958
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
applePeace, plenty and long-standing settlement
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
applePeace, plenty and long-standing settlement
