A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Burre family of England.
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)“Ar. an inescutcheon gu”
The Burre 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.
Reigning in England when the Burre arms are first recorded.
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.
The surname Burre has roots that stretch back to medieval England, where it likely originated as a descriptive nickname for a person with a rough or prickly personality, similar to the spiky seed pod of the burdock plant. By the early 17th century, the family was firmly established in the historic city of York. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Burre family were active participants in the social and economic life of this northern hub. During this era, York served as a vital center for trade and administration, placing the family at the heart of a region undergoing significant cultural change. As the family navigated life in this walled city, they contributed to the local community through their various trades and civic duties, helping to build the enduring legacy that defines their early history.
Old Norse term referring to a small dwelling or a chamber.
