A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Butterfly family of England.
Reg. 4645 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
beeIndustry, order and tireless work
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Az. a harvest-fly volant ar”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Butterfly Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Butterfly arms are recorded
The Butterfly 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 Butterfly 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 Butterfly Family in England
The surname Butterfly is an unusual English name that likely began as a descriptive nickname during the Middle Ages. In early times, people often received surnames based on their personality, physical appearance, or a specific habit. A person might have been given this name because they were particularly lively, colorful, or perhaps known for moving quickly from place to place. By the year 1620, historical records confirm that members of the Butterfly family were well-established in the city of York. During this period, York was a bustling center of trade and religion, and families living there were often involved in local craft guilds or merchant activities. While the name remains rare today, its presence in Northern England during the early seventeenth century suggests that the family was part of the growing urban population that helped shape the social and economic life of the region.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
buter-fleoge
Old English for butter and flying creature.
This name
ButterflyAn occupational or descriptive nickname for someone perceived as flighty, colorful, or fond of dairy products.
also spelled
Butterflie
Butterfley
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
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beeIndustry, order and tireless work
beeIndustry, order and tireless work
