Map of England showing where the Burchett arms are recorded
The Burchett 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 Burchett 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 Burchett Family in England
The surname Burchett is rooted in the landscape of medieval England, likely originating as a topographic name for someone who lived near a small birch forest or a grove of birch trees. The name is derived from the Old English words for birch and a suffix denoting a small wood or thicket. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the historic city of York. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Burchett family were living in this northern hub, participating in the local community during a period of significant social and religious change in England. As the family grew, they became part of the fabric of York, contributing to the local economy and the daily life of one of the country’s most important administrative centers. Over time, the name spread from these northern roots, reflecting the movement and development of families across the English landscape.
Burchett Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
birce
Old English word for a birch tree.
This name
BurchettA topographic name for someone who lived near a birch tree or a birch wood.
also spelled
Birchett
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
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
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chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
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