A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bourne family of England.
Reg. 8582 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Az. two lions pass. in pale ar”
EnglandLondon, c. 1570
Where the Bourne Arms Were Recorded
London
Map of England showing where the Bourne arms are recorded
The Bourne arms were recorded in London, c. 1570.
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.
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period
Elizabeth I of England
1558–1603
Reigning in England when the Bourne 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 Bourne Family in England
The surname Bourne is a locative name, meaning it was originally used to identify people based on where they lived. In Old English, the word "burna" referred to a small stream or a brook. Families who took this name typically lived near a prominent water source, which served as a natural landmark in their community. By the time records confirm the presence of the Bourne family in London during the year 1570, the name had already been established for several generations across various parts of England. As these early family members settled into the bustling environment of London, they contributed to the city's growing merchant and professional classes. The name reflects a deep connection to the English landscape, marking the family as descendants of those who defined their identity through the geography of their local homes.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
burna
Old English term for a small stream or brook.
This name
BourneA topographic name for someone who lived near a stream or small river.
also spelled
Burne
Borne
Related arms
Boarnevariant spelling
Boornevariant spelling
Bornevariant spelling
Bowrnevariant 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, 1958
The National Archives, Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills, 1384–1858
London Metropolitan Archives, City of London Parish Registers, 1538–1812
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lionCourage, strength and royalty
lionCourage, strength and royalty
