A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Buckmaster family of England.
Reg. 2335 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Ar. a lion ramp. betw. seven fleurs-de-lis sa. two, two, two, and one”
DevonshireDevonshire, c. 1620
Where the Buckmaster Arms Were Recorded
Devonshire
Map of England showing where the Buckmaster arms are recorded
The Buckmaster arms were recorded in Devonshire, c. 1620.
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 Buckmaster 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 Devonshire.
Origin & History of the Buckmaster Family in England
The surname Buckmaster is rooted in Old English origins, likely functioning as an occupational name for someone who served as a master of the bucks, or male deer. In medieval times, this title would have belonged to a skilled huntsman or a gamekeeper responsible for managing the deer herds on large estates. By the early seventeenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the county of Devonshire. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the family were living in this region of southwestern England, where they likely engaged in agriculture or local trade. Over time, the name spread from these rural roots as family members moved to different parts of the country to pursue new opportunities. The history of the Buckmaster name reflects the transition from specific medieval roles to the broader settlement patterns of early modern England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bucca and maester
Old English for a male deer or goat and a master.
This name
BuckmasterAn occupational surname for a master or overseer of the buck or deer park.
also spelled
Buckmaister
Buckmastir
Buckmastre
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
Devon Archives and Local Studies Service, Parish Registers of Devon, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
