A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bures family of England.
Reg. 8061 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Per chev. indented sa. and erm. in chief two lions ramp. or”
NorfolkNorfolk, c. 1620
Where the Bures Arms Were Recorded
Norfolk
Map of England showing where the Bures arms are recorded
The Bures arms were recorded in Norfolk, c. 1620.
Norfolk grew rich on wool and grain, and its wealth was spread among many middling families rather than a few great ones. Households of that kind bought land and took arms, and the county holds a large share of English names.
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 Bures 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 Norfolk.
Origin & History of the Bures Family in England
The surname Bures is a locative name, meaning it originated from people who lived near a specific place. In Old English, the word "bur" referred to a small dwelling, a cottage, or a chamber. Families who took this name likely lived near such a structure or in a village that shared the name. By the year 1620, the Bures family was well-established in the county of Norfolk, England. During this period, the family was part of the local gentry and played an active role in the social and administrative life of the region. They were deeply connected to the land and the agricultural economy that defined East Anglia at the time. As the seventeenth century progressed, members of the family became part of the broader movement of English settlers who looked toward the American colonies, helping to spread the name across the Atlantic.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bur
Old English term for a small dwelling, cottage, or chamber.
This name
BuresA habitational name for someone who lived in or near a small cottage or hut.
also spelled
Buris
Burrs
Burre
Related arms
Burrevariant spelling
Burrsvariant spelling
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
Rye, Walter, A History of Norfolk, 1885
Norfolk Record Office, Norfolk Archdeaconry Wills, 1600–1650
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
