A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Birkin family of England.
Reg. 4112 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
branchPeace, and new growth
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Az. three cypress sprigs or”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Birkin Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Birkin arms are recorded
The Birkin 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 Birkin 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 Birkin Family in England
The family name Birkin is rooted in the landscape of Northern England, specifically within the historic county of Yorkshire. The name is topographical in origin, meaning it was likely adopted by families who lived near a prominent grove of birch trees. By the early 17th century, the Birkin family was well-established in the city of York, where they participated in the social and economic life of the region. During this period, York served as a vital hub for trade and administration, and the presence of the family in local records from 1620 suggests they were settled members of the community. As the centuries progressed, the name remained closely tied to the geography of the North, reflecting a long history of agricultural and urban development in the area.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
birce
Old English word for a birch tree.
This name
BirkinA topographic name for someone who lived near a birch tree or birch wood.
also spelled
Birkyn
Related arms
Birkynvariant 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
Reaney, Percy Hide, A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
York City Archives, York City Chamberlains’ Accounts, 1620
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branchPeace, and new growth
branchPeace, and new growth
