A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bousfield family of England.
Reg. 0876 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Gu. three chevs. interlaced or, in chief a lion's head erased ar”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Bousfield Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Bousfield arms are recorded
The Bousfield 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 Bousfield 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 Bousfield Family in England
The surname Bousfield is a locative name, meaning it originated from a specific place rather than a trade or a personal trait. It is believed to have derived from the Old English words for a dwelling or a farmstead, likely referring to a person who lived at a specific farm or field. By the early seventeenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the city of York. Records confirm that members of the Bousfield family were active residents there by 1620, participating in the social and economic life of the region. During this period, families often took their names from the small hamlets or rural estates where they worked the land. As these individuals moved from the countryside into growing urban centers like York, they carried their place-based names with them, helping to solidify the family identity that persists today.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
bous
Old French word for a bull or ox.
This name
BousfieldA dweller in or near a field where cattle were kept.
also spelled
Busfield
Bousfeild
Busfeild
Related arms
Busfeildvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
York City Archives, York City Chamberlains' Accounts, 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
lionCourage, strength and royalty
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
