A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Burgh family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
Reg. 4744 · Britain, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'azur à trois fleurs-de-lis d'herm.”
Britainc. 1700
Where the Burgh Arms Were Recorded
Kent
Map of Britain showing where the Burgh arms are recorded
The Burgh arms were recorded in Britain, c. 1700.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Kent.
Kent sits between London and the short crossing to Europe, and the trade passing through made it wealthy. Merchant families bought land with that money, and it was landowners who took coats of 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 Britain in this period.
William III of England
Sovereign of the period
William III of England
1694–1702
Reigning in Britain when the Burgh arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Britain
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 Britain.
Origin & History of the Burgh Family in Britain
The family name Burgh is rooted in the Old English word burh, which describes a fortified settlement, town, or castle. In the context of British history, the name likely originated as a topographic descriptor for people who lived near or within such a defensive structure. By the time the name became established in Kent during the early 1700s, it had already evolved through centuries of regional linguistic shifts. Families bearing this name were often associated with local administration or land management, as the proximity to a fortified site frequently placed individuals at the center of community life. While the name appears in various spellings across historical documents, its core meaning remained tied to the concept of a protected stronghold. This connection suggests that the earliest ancestors of the family were likely settled in areas where local security and governance were of primary importance to the surrounding population.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
ErmineMeans: Dignity
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)
“Az. three fleurs-de-lis erm”
Irelandc. 1487
Where the Burgh Arms Were Recorded
Dublin
Map of Ireland showing where the Burgh arms are recorded
The Burgh arms were recorded in Ireland, c. 1487.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Dublin.
Dublin was the seat of government in Ireland and the place where grants were sought and recorded. Families with business at the castle or the courts settled nearby, and settling there put their arms on record.
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 Ireland in this period.
Henry VII of England
Sovereign of the period
Henry VII of England
1485–1509
Reigning in Britain when the Burgh arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Ireland.
Origin & History of the Burgh Family in Ireland
The history of the Burgh family in Ireland is deeply connected to the political shifts of the late Middle Ages. While the name has roots in the broader Anglo-Norman expansion, records confirm that members of the family were well-established in Dublin by 1487. During this period, the family integrated into the administrative and social life of the city as it served as a hub for English influence in Ireland. They often held positions that required them to navigate the complex loyalties between local Irish lords and the English crown. As the family grew in prominence, they became involved in the legal and commercial activities that defined Dublin as a capital city. Their presence in the city during the late fifteenth century highlights how families of this background helped shape the urban development and governance of early modern Ireland.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
vairProtection, and the winter fur
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Gu. seven lozenges vair, three, three, and one”
KentKent, c. 1226
Where the Burgh Arms Were Recorded
Kent
Map of England showing where the Burgh arms are recorded
The Burgh arms were recorded in Kent, c. 1226.
Kent sits between London and the short crossing to Europe, and the trade passing through made it wealthy. Merchant families bought land with that money, and it was landowners who took coats of 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.
Henry III of England
Sovereign of the period
Henry III of England
1216–1272
Reigning in Britain when the Burgh 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 Kent.
Origin & History of the Burgh Family in England
The family name Burgh traces its roots to the Old English word for a fortified town or a castle. By the early 13th century, the name had become well-established in England, with historical records confirming that members of the family were living in the county of Kent by 1226. During this period, the name often functioned as a locative surname, which meant it was used to identify people based on the specific town or stronghold where they resided. As the family grew, they became deeply integrated into the local administration and social structures of medieval England. Their presence in Kent suggests they were part of a class of landowners or local officials who helped manage the region during the reign of King Henry III. Over time, the name evolved from a simple description of a place into a formal family identity that was passed down through generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
burg
An Old English or Germanic term for a fortified settlement or town.
This name
BurghRefers to someone who lived near or within a fortified place or castle.
also spelled
Burg
Burch
Burge
Burrow
Borough
Related arms
Burgvariant spelling
Boroughvariant spelling
Burgevariant spelling
Burrowvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Mills, A.D., A Dictionary of English Place-Names, 1991
The National Archives, Parish registers of Kent, series reference P/K
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fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
