A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Burrous family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
Reg. 8183 · Britain, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“De gu. à un tronc d'arbre arr., au nat., posé en pal, poussant de chaque côté une branche; au chef d'or, ch. d'une couronne à l'antique de gu., accostée de deux”
Britainc. 1700
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Map of Britain showing where the Burrous arms are recorded
The Burrous arms were recorded in Britain, c. 1700.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Kent.
Kent sits between London and the short crossing to Europe, and the trade passing through made it wealthy. Merchant families bought land with that money, and it was landowners who took coats 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 Britain in this period.
William III of England
Sovereign of the period
William III of England
1694–1702
Reigning in Britain when the Burrous arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Britain
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 Britain.
Origin & History of the Burrous Family in Britain
The surname Burrous, often appearing in historical records as a variation of Burroughs or Burrows, finds its roots in the Old English language. The name is topographical, meaning it was originally used to describe someone who lived near a "burh," which was a fortified settlement, manor, or earthwork. By the year 1700, the family had established a notable presence in the county of Kent. During this period, Kent served as a vital agricultural and maritime hub, and families with this name were often integrated into the local parish systems. These early members of the Burrous family likely worked as skilled tradespeople or tenant farmers, contributing to the steady growth of rural communities in southeastern England. Their presence in the regional tax records and church registers of the time reflects a family that was deeply embedded in the social fabric of the British countryside during the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Gu. the stump of a laurel tree eradicated and sprouted ppr”
OrkneyRamsey · Orkney, c. 1748
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Map of Scotland showing where the Burrous arms are recorded
The Burrous arms were recorded in Orkney, c. 1748.
Orkney was Norse country until it came to Scotland in 1468, and its landholders kept Norse customs after. Families held their own ground outright, and outright holding brought 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 Scotland in this period.
George II of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George II of Great Britain
1727–1760
Reigning in Britain when the Burrous arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Scotland
Scottish heraldry is unique because it treats a coat of arms as a piece of personal property protected by law. Only one person can own a specific design at any given time. When a family grows, the head keeps the original shield while other relatives must apply for their own distinct version with slight changes to prove their specific identity.
Granting authority
The Court of the Lord Lyon acts as the official body that regulates and controls all heraldic matters throughout Scotland.
How they got arms
Individuals obtain a legal right to their arms through a formal petition process that confirms their identity and family connection.
Where arms were recorded
All valid coats of arms are officially entered into the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings starting from 1672.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Orkney.
Origin & History of the Burrous Family in Scotland
The family name Burrous, often appearing in historical records as Burrows or Burroughs, has deep roots in the rugged landscape of Scotland. By the middle of the eighteenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the Orkney Islands, a remote archipelago off the northern coast. Records confirm that members of the Burrous family were living in Orkney by 1748, likely working within the island’s traditional maritime or agricultural economies. Life in Orkney during this period was defined by a unique blend of Norse and Scottish cultural influences, and families living there often relied on the sea for trade and survival. While the name itself likely originated from an Old English term describing a person who lived near a fortified place or a hill, its migration to the northern reaches of Scotland suggests a family history marked by movement and adaptation to new environments. These early settlers in Orkney were part of a resilient community that navigated the challenges of island life, leaving behind a legacy that persists in the regional records of the era.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Gu. the stump of a laurel tree eradicated ppr. on a chief or, an eastern crown of the field, betw. two annulets az”
CavanCastle Bagshaw · Cavan, c. 1645
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Map of Ireland showing where the Burrous arms are recorded
The Burrous arms were recorded in Cavan, c. 1645.
Cavan was drumlin and lake country on the edge of Ulster, planted in the seventeenth century. The new landowners took formal grants, and formal grants were recorded with 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 Ireland in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in Britain when the Burrous arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Cavan.
Origin & History of the Burrous Family in Ireland
The family name Burrous, often appearing in historical records as Burrows or Burroughs, has deep roots in the Irish county of Cavan. By the year 1645, the family was already established in this region, a period defined by significant social and political upheaval across the island. During the mid-seventeenth century, families in Cavan often navigated the complex transition of land ownership and shifting loyalties following the Irish Confederate Wars. The presence of the Burrous family in this specific area suggests they were part of the broader movement of settlers who integrated into the local economy and community life during a time of intense change. Over the following generations, the family became a part of the local landscape, contributing to the development of the region while maintaining their presence in the northern midlands of Ireland.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
burg
A fortified place or town.
This name
BurrousRefers to a person who lived near or within a fortified town or castle.
also spelled
Burrows
Burous
Burroughes
Burrowes
Burroughe
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1958
Lower, Mark Antony, Patronymica Britannica: A Dictionary of the Family Names of the United Kingdom, 1860
The National Archives, Parish registers and Bishop's transcripts for the Diocese of Canterbury, 1700
Kent History and Library Centre, Quarter Sessions records and local land tax assessments, 1700
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