A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Byrde family of England.
Reg. 5496 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Per pale or and ar. an eagle displ. sa”
YorkYewley · York, c. 1620
Where the Byrde Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Byrde arms are recorded
The Byrde arms were recorded in York, c. 1620.
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 Byrde 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 York.
Origin & History of the Byrde Family in England
The surname Byrde is a variation of the Middle English word "bird," which was often used as a nickname for a person who was thought to have bird-like qualities or a cheerful personality. By the early 17th century, the name was well-established in Northern England, particularly in the historic city of York. Records confirm that members of the Byrde family were living in York by 1620, a time when the city served as a major center for trade and religious life. Families with this name were often integrated into the local community as merchants or tradespeople, contributing to the bustling economy of the region. Because surnames were still evolving during this period, the spelling was not yet standardized, and it frequently appeared in documents as Bird, Byrd, or Byrde depending on the preference of the local clerk recording the information.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bird
A feathered vertebrate animal with wings.
This name
ByrdeA nickname for someone with bird-like characteristics or a habit of bird catching.
also spelled
Bird
Birde
Related arms
Birdsame arms
Byttonsimilar arms
Birdevariant spelling
Frererecorded with Byrde, same area
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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paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
