Map of England showing where the Burnham arms are recorded
The Burnham 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 Burnham 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 Burnham Family in England
The surname Burnham is a locational name that originated in England, derived from the Old English words "burna," meaning a stream or brook, and "ham," meaning a homestead or village. This suggests that the earliest people to carry the name were likely residents of a settlement situated near a flowing body of water. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the historic city of York. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Burnham family were active within this northern hub during a period of significant social and religious change. As they moved through the generations, these early settlers helped shape the local community, eventually carrying their family identity across the Atlantic as part of the great migration to the American colonies.
Burnham Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Burn and Ham
A stream or brook and an enclosed settlement or homestead.
This name
BurnhamRefers to a person who lived near a stream by a village or homestead.
also spelled
Burnam
Related arms
Bernhamvariant spelling
Brunhamvariant spelling
Burnamvariant spelling
Gurneyrecorded with Burnham, same area
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
York City Archives, York City Chamberlains' Accounts, 1620
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, English Surnames: Their Sources and Significations, 1875
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chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
