A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Birkbeck family of England.
Reg. 4966 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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. a fesse counter-compony or and az. betw. three lions' heads erased gu”
CumberlandCumberland, c. 1620
Where the Birkbeck Arms Were Recorded
Cumberland
Map of England showing where the Birkbeck arms are recorded
The Birkbeck arms were recorded in Cumberland, c. 1620.
Cumberland was rough border country in the north-west, facing Scotland across a disputed line. Its families held land in return for keeping it defended, and men who fought carried shields of their own.
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 Birkbeck 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 Cumberland.
Origin & History of the Birkbeck Family in England
The surname Birkbeck is a locational name that originated in the rugged landscape of Northern England. It is derived from the Old Norse words "birk," meaning birch tree, and "bekkr," meaning a stream or brook. This suggests that the earliest members of the family likely lived near a birch-lined stream in the historic county of Cumberland. By the early 17th century, the family was well-established in this region, with records confirming their presence there by 1620. During this period, the Birkbecks were often associated with the local gentry and landowning classes of the Lake District. Their history is deeply tied to the geography of the north, reflecting a time when surnames were chosen to describe the specific natural features of a family's home.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Birch-beck
Derived from Old Norse words for birch tree and a stream.
This name
BirkbeckA topographical name for someone who lived by a stream lined with birch trees.
also spelled
Birkbek
Birkebek
Related arms
Birbecksame arms
Birkbekevariant 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, 1991
Cumbria Archive Service, Kendal Archive Centre: Records of the Birkbeck family of Orton Hall, 17th century
Ekwall, Eilert, The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Place-names, 1960
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
