A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Borough family of England.
Reg. 2369 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
wreathHonour, and a victory crowned
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Per chev. ar. and erm. two chev. sa. betw. three chaplets gu”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Borough Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Borough arms are recorded
The Borough 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 Borough 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 Borough Family in England
The surname Borough is a topographical name that originated in England to describe someone who lived near a fortified town or a protected settlement. During the Middle Ages, the word borough referred to a specific type of town that held a royal charter or a defensive wall. Families who adopted this name were often associated with the administration or the protection of these local hubs. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the Borough family were well-established in the city of York. At that time, York was a significant center for trade and regional government in Northern England. Living in such a prominent city suggests that these early ancestors were likely involved in the local merchant guilds or the civic life that defined the city during the seventeenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
burg
A fortified place, town, or castle.
This name
BoroughRefers to someone who lived near or within a fortified town or borough.
also spelled
Burrough
Burrow
Related arms
Atbarow, or Atboroughsame arms
Barrowsame arms
Borowevariant spelling
Borrowvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
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
wreathHonour, and a victory crowned
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
wreathHonour, and a victory crowned
