A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Birmingham family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“Parti-dentelé d'arg. et de sa.”
The Birmingham arms were recorded in Britain, c. 1700.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Kent.
Kent sits between London and the short crossing to Europe, and the trade passing through made it wealthy. Merchant families bought land with that money, and it was landowners who took coats of 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 Britain in this period.
Reigning in Britain when the Birmingham arms are first recorded.
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.
The surname Birmingham originates from the Old English name Bermingeham, which translates to the homestead of the people of Beorma. While the name is famously tied to the city in the West Midlands, families bearing this name spread across England over many centuries. By the year 1700, records confirm that members of the Birmingham family were well-established in the county of Kent. During this period, families often moved due to changes in agriculture, trade opportunities, or the shifting demands of local industries. Those living in Kent likely worked in farming or maritime roles, as the region was a vital hub for trade and travel between England and the continent. The presence of the name in Kent suggests that the family had successfully integrated into the local community and social structures of the south of England long before the industrial expansion of the nineteenth century.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey madeSir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)“Ar. on a bend gu. cottised sa. three escallops or”
The Birmingham arms were recorded in Norfolk, c. 1620.
Norfolk grew rich on wool and grain, and its wealth was spread among many middling families rather than a few great ones. Households of that kind bought land and took arms, and the county holds a large share of English names.
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.
Reigning in Britain when the Birmingham arms are first recorded.
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.
The surname Birmingham originates from a locative source, meaning it was first adopted by individuals who lived in or hailed from the town of Birmingham in the West Midlands. During the medieval period, people often took the name of their home village as a way to identify themselves when moving to new regions. By the early 17th century, the family had established a presence in Norfolk, which suggests a migration pattern common for families seeking new opportunities in the agricultural and trading hubs of East Anglia. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the family were settled in this area, likely participating in the local economy of the time. This transition from a specific town in the Midlands to the coastal counties of the east reflects the broader movement of English families during the Stuart era as they sought to build lives in growing provincial communities.
The homestead of the people of Beorma
