Map of England showing where the Buckler arms are recorded
The Buckler arms were recorded in Dorset, c. 1544.
Dorset was quiet farming and grazing country along the south coast. Its gentry were middling rather than grand, but they held their manors for a very long time, and long holding is what puts a name in the records.
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.
Henry VIII of England
Sovereign of the period
Henry VIII of England
1509–1547
Reigning in England when the Buckler 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 Dorset.
Origin & History of the Buckler Family in England
The surname Buckler is an occupational name that originated in medieval England to describe a person who made or repaired bucklers, which were small, round shields used during combat. By the mid-sixteenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the county of Dorset. Historical records confirm that members of the Buckler family were living in this region by 1544, often serving as landowners or local officials. During this era, the name was frequently spelled in various ways, such as Bukler or Buckeler, reflecting the phonetic nature of record-keeping at the time. As the family grew, they became deeply integrated into the social and economic life of the West Country, transitioning from their origins as skilled craftsmen to becoming prominent figures in their local communities.
Buckler Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
bucler
Old French term for a small round shield.
This name
BucklerAn occupational name for a maker or user of small shields.
also spelled
Buckelar
Bucklair
Buckeler
Related arms
Pittrecorded with Buckler, same area
Tamerecorded with Buckler, same area
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
Hutchins, John, The History and Antiquities of the County of Dorset, 1774
The National Archives, Letters and Papers, Foreign and Domestic, Henry VIII, 1544
Dorset History Centre, Dorset Quarter Sessions Records, 1544
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
dragonA most valiant defender of treasure
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
dragonA most valiant defender of treasure
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
