Map of Netherlands showing where the Burman arms are recorded
The Burman arms were recorded in Netherlands, c. 1815.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Friesland.
Friesland was low, wet country on the northern coast of the Netherlands, farmed by families who had held the same land for centuries. Free landholders were unusually common there, and a free landholder could carry 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.
Region
Friesland
First recorded
1815
Granting Authority for the Burman Arms
Hoge Raad van Adel
Photograph made by me · CC BY-SA 3.0
The body that granted and recorded arms in Netherlands in this period.
William I of the Netherlands
Sovereign of the period
William I of the Netherlands
1815–1840
Reigning in Netherlands when the Burman arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Netherlands
In the Netherlands, coats of arms were often used by noble families and those who held specific public offices. These arms were passed down through the generations to legitimate descendants. Younger branches of a family usually kept the original design without needing to add special marks. This system ensured that the family identity remained clear and consistent over many years.
Granting authority
The Hoge Raad van Adel is the official body that regulates and manages noble titles and coats of arms in the Netherlands.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through official royal grants or by proving their long-standing historical use of the symbols.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms are officially recorded in the registers held by the Hoge Raad van Adel, which began its work in 1814.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Netherlands.
Origin & History of the Burman Family in Netherlands
The surname Burman has deep roots in the northern regions of the Netherlands, particularly within the province of Friesland. By the early 19th century, records confirm that families bearing this name were well-established members of Frisian society. The name itself is often linked to the historical term "buorman," which translates to neighbor or a person who lives in a nearby house. In the rural landscape of Friesland, this name likely identified individuals based on their position within a local farming community or their specific plot of land. As the Netherlands moved toward standardized civil registration in 1811 and 1812, families were required to formalize their surnames, which helped solidify the Burman name in official government ledgers. These early ancestors were often tied to the land and the unique cultural traditions of the Frisian people, reflecting a history defined by local community ties and the transition into modern administrative record-keeping.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Paly of six ar. and sa. a chief wavy az”
Englandc. 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of England showing where the Burman arms are recorded
The Burman 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 Netherlands when the Burman 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 Burman Family in England
The surname Burman has deep roots in northern England, with historical evidence placing members of the family in the city of York as early as 1620. The name is generally categorized as an occupational or descriptive surname, likely originating from the Old English term "bur," which referred to a small dwelling or a bower. In the medieval period, a "burman" was often a person who served as a chamberlain or a caretaker of a private room within a large estate or manor. As surnames became permanent fixtures of identity during the Middle Ages, families often adopted these professional titles to distinguish themselves within their local communities. By the time the family was established in York during the seventeenth century, they were part of a growing urban middle class that was integral to the city's trade and civic life. The persistence of the name in parish records from this era suggests that the Burmans were settled residents who contributed to the social and economic fabric of Yorkshire for generations.
Burman Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Bur
Old Germanic term referring to a small dwelling or peasant farmer.
This name
BurmanA person who lived in a small house or worked as a farmer.
also spelled
Burmann
Burrmane
Burmon
Related arms
Comberecorded with Burman, same area
Coombesrecorded with Burman, same area
Smithrecorded with Burman, same area
Walfordrecorded with Burman, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Tresoar (Frisian Historical and Literary Center), Burgerlijke Stand Friesland (Civil Registry of Friesland), 1811–1815
Van der Meer, G., Friese familienamen: Een onderzoek naar hun oorsprong en verspreiding (Frisian Surnames: A study of their origin and distribution), 1998
Meertens Instituut, Nederlandse Familienamenbank (Dutch Surname Database), 2010
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
