Map of England showing where the Burfitt arms are recorded
The Burfitt arms were recorded in London, 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 Burfitt 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 Burfitt Family in England
The surname Burfitt is believed to have originated in England, with early records confirming that family members were established in London by the year 1620. The name likely functions as a locational surname, which was a common way for people to identify themselves during the Middle Ages. Such names were often derived from small, specific settlements or geographic features like a hill or a field that no longer exist on modern maps. By the early 17th century, the Burfitt family was part of the growing urban population in London, a city undergoing massive social and economic shifts. As the family moved through the centuries, they contributed to the local labor and trade networks that defined the capital city. Their presence in 1620 suggests they were part of the working class that helped build the foundations of the city during the Stuart period.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Burh-geat
Old English for a fortified town gate or defensive entrance.
This name
BurfittA habitational surname denoting someone who lived near the gate of a fortified settlement.
also spelled
Burfitt
Burfett
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
London Metropolitan Archives, Church of England Parish Registers, 1538–1812
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
wheatsheafPlenty, and the harvest of one's own labour
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
wheatsheafPlenty, and the harvest of one's own labour
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
