A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Blackbourn family of England.
Reg. 3830 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
Colours
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
ErmineMeans: Dignity
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)
“Vert a chev. erm. betw. three ducal coronets or”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Blackbourn Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Blackbourn arms are recorded
The Blackbourn 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 Blackbourn 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 Blackbourn Family in England
The surname Blackbourn is a locational name that originated in England, derived from the Old English words for a dark stream or brook. Families bearing this name were often identified by the specific landscape features near their homes, such as a river with deep or murky water. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the historic city of York. Records confirm that members of the Blackbourn family were living in this region by 1620, likely participating in the local trade and civic life that defined the city during the Stuart period. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of Northern England, with their name serving as a lasting link to the geography of the British countryside.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Blaec Burna
Old English for dark or black stream.
This name
BlackbournRefers to a person who lived near a dark-colored or murky stream or brook.
also spelled
Blackburn
Blackborne
Related arms
Blackbornevariant spelling
Blackburnvariant 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
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York, Archbishop of York’s Diocesan Records
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
