Map of England showing where the Burdock arms are recorded
The Burdock 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 Burdock 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 Burdock Family in England
The surname Burdock is rooted in the landscape of medieval England, deriving from the common plant known for its hooked burrs. In early times, names were often descriptive, and it is likely that the first people to carry this name lived near a patch of these plants or worked with the fibers they produced. By 1620, historical records confirm that the Burdock family had established a notable presence in the city of York. During this period, York was a bustling center of trade and religious history, and families living there were often involved in the local wool or mercantile industries. The name reflects a connection to the natural world that was common for families of that era, marking them as people who were deeply integrated into the rural and urban life of Northern England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Burdock
Derived from the burr plant and the Old English word for dock.
This name
BurdockA locative surname referring to someone who lived near a patch of burdock plants.
also spelled
Bradok
Braddok
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
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records
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bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
