A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Birket family of England.
Reg. 8426 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bordureA difference between branches of one family
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, a bordure ar. pellettée”
ChesterBirket House · Chester, c. 1620
Where the Birket Arms Were Recorded
Chester
Map of England showing where the Birket arms are recorded
The Birket arms were recorded in Chester, c. 1620.
Cheshire was governed apart from the rest of England for much of its history, with its own courts and its own gentry. That separateness bred a strong local landed class, and landed families 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 Birket 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 Chester.
Origin & History of the Birket Family in England
The surname Birket is rooted in the landscape of Northern England, specifically within the historic county of Cheshire. The name is topographical in origin, likely derived from the Old Norse words for birch trees and a clearing or enclosure. By the early seventeenth century, the family had established a documented presence in the city of Chester, a location that served as a vital hub for trade and regional administration. During this era, members of the Birket family were integrated into the local community, living in a city defined by its Roman walls and medieval architecture. As residents of Chester in 1620, these individuals would have navigated a society transitioning through the Stuart period, participating in the local economy and the daily life of a bustling English market town.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Birch
A type of slender, hardy deciduous tree.
This name
BirketA dweller by a birch tree or a birch wood.
also spelled
Birkitt
Burkett
Related arms
Burkettvariant spelling
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
Cheshire Archives and Local Studies, Bishop's Transcripts for the Diocese of Chester, 1620
Mills, Anthony David, A Dictionary of English Place-Names, 1991
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bordureA difference between branches of one family
wheatsheafPlenty, and the harvest of one's own labour
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
bordureA difference between branches of one family
wheatsheafPlenty, and the harvest of one's own labour
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
