Map of England showing where the Burchell arms are recorded
The Burchell arms were recorded in Hereford, c. 1620.
Herefordshire lay on the Welsh border, where land was held in return for military service. Families there were expected to arm and to fight, and a fighting household needed a shield it could be known by.
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 Burchell 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 Hereford.
Origin & History of the Burchell Family in England
The surname Burchell is rooted in the landscape of medieval England, likely originating as a topographic name for someone who lived near a birch tree or a birch grove. The name is derived from the Old English words "birce," meaning birch, and "halh," which refers to a nook, hollow, or small valley. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the county of Herefordshire. Records confirm that members of the Burchell family were living in this region by 1620, where they were likely engaged in agricultural life or local trades common to the English West Midlands. Over time, the spelling of the name evolved through various regional dialects, but the family remained connected to the rural traditions and community structures of the Herefordshire countryside.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Burch
Derived from the Old English word for a birch tree.
This name
BurchellA topographical name for someone who lived near a birch tree or birch wood.
also spelled
Burchell
Birchall
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
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cross symbolChristian faith and service
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cross symbolChristian faith and service
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
