A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Birkes family of England.
Reg. 6906 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
wheatsheafPlenty, and the harvest of one's own labour
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Sa. three garbs or, on a chief ar. as many bezants”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Birkes Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Birkes arms are recorded
The Birkes 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 Birkes 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 Birkes Family in England
The family name Birkes is rooted in the landscape of Northern England, specifically within the historic city of York. By the early 17th century, records confirm that members of the Birkes family were established residents of this region. The name itself is topographical, likely derived from the Old Norse word "birki," which refers to a place where birch trees grow. This suggests that the earliest ancestors to carry the name were identified by their proximity to a specific grove or woodland area. As the family settled in York by 1620, they became part of the local social fabric during a time of significant transition in English history. Over the following generations, the family name persisted as a marker of their northern heritage and their long-standing connection to the city.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
birk
Old Norse word for a birch tree.
This name
BirkesA topographic name for someone who lived near a birch tree or a birch wood.
also spelled
Birks
Byrkes
Birkesse
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
York City Archives, York City Chamberlains' Accounts, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
wheatsheafPlenty, and the harvest of one's own labour
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
wheatsheafPlenty, and the harvest of one's own labour
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
