Map of England showing where the Byham arms are recorded
The Byham arms were recorded in Somerset, c. 1620.
Somerset was rich farming country with a thick scattering of manor houses. Its gentry were numerous and long-settled, and a settled landed family almost always ended up 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 England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Byham 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 Somerset.
Origin & History of the Byham Family in England
The family name Byham has deep roots in the English county of Somerset, where records confirm members of the family were established by the early 17th century. The name is considered a locative surname, which means it likely originated from a specific place name or a small settlement known to local residents. During the 1600s, families in this region were often tied to the land through agriculture or local trades, and surnames were increasingly used to distinguish between different households in growing village communities. As the Byham family lived in Somerset during a time of significant social and economic change, they were part of the rural fabric that defined the West Country. Over the following generations, the name persisted in the region, reflecting the steady movement and settlement patterns of families who remained in their ancestral home for centuries.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
By-ham
A settlement or homestead located near a specific landmark or feature.
This name
ByhamDerived from Old English elements referring to a dwelling place situated by a village or enclosure.
also spelled
Byham
Biam
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Somerset Heritage Centre, Quarter Sessions Records, 1620
Tate, W. E., The Parish Chest: A Study of the Records of Parochial Administration in England, 1946
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
branchPeace, and new growth
arms pheon arrowheadReadiness for battle, and the broad arrow of the sovereign
branchPeace, and new growth
arms pheon arrowheadReadiness for battle, and the broad arrow of the sovereign
