A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Blackham family of Britain.
Reg. 0551 · Britain, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
cross symbolChristian faith and service
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“D'azur à deux fasces d'or, acc. de neuf croix recr. du même.”
BritainLondres, c. 1696
Where the Blackham Arms Were Recorded
Kent
Map of Britain showing where the Blackham arms are recorded
The Blackham arms were recorded in Londres, c. 1696.
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 Britain when the Blackham 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 Blackham Family in Britain
The surname Blackham is a locative name, meaning it originally identified people based on the place where they lived. The name is derived from Old English roots, specifically combining the words for black and a homestead or enclosure. This suggests that the earliest families bearing this name likely resided near a dark-colored wood or a patch of particularly rich, dark soil. While the name is often associated with the Midlands, historical records confirm that members of the Blackham family were firmly established in the county of Kent by 1696. During this period, families with this name were often involved in local trade and agriculture, living in small rural communities where they became deeply integrated into the parish life of the region. Over time, these early settlers helped define the local history of Kent through their contributions to the village economy and their recorded presence in church registers.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Blaec and Ham
Old English for dark or black and a home or settlement.
This name
BlackhamRefers to a person who lived at a dark or black homestead.
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1958
Kent Archives, Parish Register Transcripts of Kent, 1696
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
cross symbolChristian faith and service
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
cross symbolChristian faith and service
