A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Burghley family of England.
Reg. 3113 · English, 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
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)
“Az. three fleurs-de-lis or”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Burghley Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Burghley arms are recorded
The Burghley 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 Burghley 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 Burghley Family in England
The family name Burghley likely originates from a place name, as was common for surnames established in medieval England. The name is derived from the Old English words "burh," meaning a fortified settlement or town, and "leah," which refers to a meadow or a clearing in a forest. By the early seventeenth century, records confirm that members of the family were well-established in the city of York. During this period, York was a major northern hub for trade and administration, suggesting that the family was integrated into the urban life of the region. While the name is often associated with grand historical figures, the branch of the family living in York in 1620 likely consisted of tradespeople or local citizens who contributed to the growth of the city during the reign of King James I.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Burh-leah
A fortified settlement or stronghold located in a woodland clearing.
This name
BurghleyRefers to a person who lived near a fortified place within a forest or meadow.
also spelled
Burghley
Burley
Burleigh
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
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fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
