A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Buckham family of England.
Reg. 2081 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Chequy or and az. a fesse erm”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Buckham Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Buckham arms are recorded
The Buckham 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 Buckham 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 Buckham Family in England
The surname Buckham is rooted in the landscape of Northern England, where it likely originated as a locative name for families living near a specific stream or valley. The name is composed of Old English elements, suggesting a connection to a "beech-tree home" or a settlement situated by a brook. By the year 1620, historical records confirm that members of the Buckham family were well-established in the city of York. During this period, York served as a vital center for trade and administration, and families living there were often involved in the city’s bustling mercantile life or local craft guilds. This early presence in such a prominent urban hub indicates that the family was integrated into the social and economic fabric of the region long before the seventeenth century. As the family grew, they remained closely tied to the history of Yorkshire, contributing to the development of the local community through their work and civic participation.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bucca
Old English term for a male deer or buck.
This name
BuckhamA habitational name referring to a homestead or enclosure located near a deer habitat.
also spelled
Buckeham
Buckhome
Buckam
Related arms
Buchamvariant 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
York City Archives, York Freemen’s Register, 1272–1759
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
