A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Biram family of England.
Reg. 3128 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
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Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Ar. three hedgehogs sa”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Biram Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Biram arms are recorded
The Biram 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 Biram 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 Biram Family in England
The family name Biram has deep roots in the historic city of York, where records confirm members of the family were established by the year 1620. During the seventeenth century, York served as a vital hub for trade and administration in Northern England, and families like the Birams were often integrated into the local merchant or craft guilds that defined the city’s economy. The name itself likely evolved from a locative origin, potentially referencing a specific farmstead or a small settlement known to local residents. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of the region, navigating the significant political and religious shifts that characterized England during the Stuart period. By maintaining a presence in such a prominent urban center, the early Birams were well-positioned to participate in the growth of local industries and the development of the city’s civic life.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Byrum
Derived from the Old Norse words for farmstead or village.
This name
BiramA topographic name for someone who lived near a specific village or settlement.
also spelled
Byram
Related arms
Biromvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records
City of York Council Archives, Freemen of the City of York, 1272–1759
Palliser, D. M., Tudor York, 1979
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