Map of England showing where the Burrough arms are recorded
The Burrough arms were recorded in Suffolk, c. 1620.
Suffolk was wool country, and its cloth towns were among the wealthiest in England. Clothier families bought manors with their profits, and holding a manor was the ordinary route to a coat 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.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Burrough 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 Suffolk.
Origin & History of the Burrough Family in England
The surname Burrough originates from the Old English word "burh," which refers to a fortified town or a protected settlement. Families carrying this name were often associated with people who lived near or worked within these defensive structures. By the early 17th century, the name was well-established in the county of Suffolk, England. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Burrough family were active residents in this region during a period of significant social and economic change. Many individuals with this surname were involved in local agriculture and trade, which allowed them to build stable lives in the English countryside. Over time, the spelling of the name evolved as it was recorded in parish registers and legal documents, but its connection to the landscape and the history of local governance remained a defining feature of the family identity.
Burrough Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Burg
A fortified place, town, or castle.
This name
BurroughRefers to someone who lived near or within a fortified town or stronghold.
also spelled
Burro
Burrow
Burrowe
Related arms
Boroughvariant spelling
Burrowvariant spelling
Burrowe, or Boroughvariant spelling
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, 1997
Suffolk Archives, Ipswich Parish Registers, 1620
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
wreathHonour, and a victory crowned
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
wreathHonour, and a victory crowned
