A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Boneham family of England.
Reg. 7571 · English, 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
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Sa. a fess wavy betw. three crosses crosslet fitchée ar”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Boneham Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Boneham arms are recorded
The Boneham 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 Boneham 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 Boneham Family in England
The surname Boneham is a locative name, meaning it likely originated from a specific place or settlement in England. Historical records confirm that members of the Boneham family were established in the city of York by the year 1620, where they were active participants in the local community during the early seventeenth century. The name itself is thought to be derived from Old English roots, potentially describing a person who lived near a bone-shaped piece of land or a specific valley. As families moved through the northern counties of England, the spelling of the name often shifted to reflect local dialects and the way it sounded to record keepers. By settling in a major hub like York, the early Bonehams were positioned in a center of trade and administration, which helped them integrate into the social fabric of the region during a time of significant historical change.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bunham
A homestead or enclosure belonging to a person named Buna.
This name
BonehamDerived from a locational surname referring to a settlement near a reed-filled area.
also spelled
Bonham
Bonyham
Related arms
Bonhamvariant 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
York City Archives, York City Chamberlains' Accounts, 1620
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
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
