A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Byfield family of England.
Reg. 4280 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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. five bezants in saltire a chief or”
EnglandLondon, c. 1620
Where the Byfield Arms Were Recorded
London
Map of England showing where the Byfield arms are recorded
The Byfield arms were recorded in London, c. 1620.
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 Byfield 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 Byfield Family in England
The surname Byfield is a locative name, meaning it originated from a specific place rather than a trade or a personal trait. It is derived from an Old English location, likely referring to a field situated near a specific landmark or a settlement known as "Byfield" in Northamptonshire. By the early 17th century, members of the family had established a notable presence in London. During this period, the name became associated with figures involved in the religious and intellectual life of the city, particularly among the Puritan community. These early London residents were often documented in parish registers and legal records, which helped cement the family name within the urban landscape of the capital. As the family grew, their influence spread through their involvement in local governance and the burgeoning trade networks that defined London in the 1620s.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
By-feld
Old English for near or by an open piece of land.
This name
ByfieldRefers to someone who lived near a field or an open pasture.
also spelled
Byfeld
Byfeild
Bifield
Related arms
Byfeildvariant spelling
Byfelvariant spelling
Byfeld, or Byfieldvariant spelling
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
London Metropolitan Archives, Church of England Parish Registers, 1538–1812
Reaney, Percy Hide, A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
