A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bjork family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 2950 · German, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
bearStrength, cunning and protection of kin
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ec.: aux 1 et 4 d'arg. à un ours de sa., pass. sur un tertre de sin.; aux 2 et 3 d'azur à trois étoiles d'or. Cq. cour. C.: un cerf iss. de gu. L. à dextre d'arg. et d'azur, à sen. d'or et d'azur.”
MecklenburgMecklenburg, c. 1765
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Map of Germany showing where the Bjork arms are recorded
The Bjork arms were recorded in Mecklenburg, c. 1765.
Mecklenburg was farming country in the north of Germany, held by a small number of families who kept their estates for generations. Owning land was what entitled a family to arms, so a great many Mecklenburg names ended up in the registers.
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 Germany in this period.
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
1745–1765
Reigning in Germany when the Bjork arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Germany
In the Holy Roman Empire, coats of arms were often granted to individuals by the Emperor or his representatives. These arms were then passed down through the generations to all legitimate descendants of the original holder. Younger branches of a family usually kept the same shield design without needing to change it, as the arms belonged to the entire lineage.
Granting authority
The Holy Roman Emperor held the sole power to grant new coats of arms throughout his vast imperial territories.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal imperial grant or by proving their noble status to the authorities.
Where arms were recorded
These grants were officially recorded in the Imperial Chancery registers, which began keeping formal records of such honors during the Middle Ages.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Mecklenburg.
Origin & History of the Bjork Family in Germany
The name Bjork is deeply rooted in the linguistic traditions of Northern Europe, where it is derived from the Old Norse word for the birch tree. While the name is most commonly associated with Scandinavia, historical records confirm that families bearing this name were established in the Mecklenburg region of Germany by 1765. During this period, Mecklenburg was a rural territory where surnames often reflected the surrounding landscape or the specific trade of a family. Because the birch tree was a common sight in the forests of Northern Germany, the name likely served as a topographical identifier for those living near these distinctive white-barked trees. By the mid-18th century, these families were part of the local agricultural and social fabric of the region, living through a time of significant transition as the area moved toward modern administrative record-keeping. This presence in Mecklenburg suggests that the name traveled across the Baltic Sea through long-standing trade and migration routes that connected German coastal towns with their northern neighbors.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'or à la croix de gu., acc. au 1 d'un lion de sa. [Comp. Bourke et Burke.]”
Britainc. 1700
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Map of Britain showing where the Bjork arms are recorded
The Bjork 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.
William III of England
Sovereign of the period
William III of England
1694–1702
Reigning in Germany when the Bjork arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Britain
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 Britain.
Origin & History of the Bjork Family in Britain
The family name Bjork is rooted in the Old Norse word for birch tree, reflecting a deep connection to the landscapes of Northern Europe. While the name is traditionally associated with Scandinavian origins, historical records confirm that members of the family were established in the county of Kent by the year 1700. During this period, Kent served as a vital gateway for trade and migration between Britain and the continent. Families arriving from across the North Sea often settled in these coastal regions to participate in the growing maritime economy. As these early settlers integrated into English society, the name Bjork persisted as a marker of their distinct heritage. Over time, the family became part of the local fabric of Kentish life, contributing to the agricultural and commercial development of the region throughout the eighteenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Birke
A deciduous tree with white bark.
This name
BjorkA topographic name for someone who lived near a birch tree or birch forest.
also spelled
Borck
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
bearStrength, cunning and protection of kin
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
bearStrength, cunning and protection of kin
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
cross symbolChristian faith and service
lionCourage, strength and royalty
