A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Churchyard family of England.
Reg. 8847 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
horseReadiness to serve king and country
Colours
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)
“Ar. a chev. betw. three horses' heads erased sa. bridled or”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Churchyard Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Churchyard arms are recorded
The Churchyard 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 Churchyard 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 Churchyard Family in England
The surname Churchyard is a locative name, meaning it was originally given to people who lived near or worked within a churchyard. During the Middle Ages, these spaces were not just burial grounds but were often the social and economic hubs of a village. By the time the family was firmly established in York in 1620, the name had evolved from a simple description of a neighbor into a formal hereditary surname. Families bearing this name were often associated with the skilled trades or administrative duties required to maintain the local parish. Because the name is tied to the physical layout of English towns, it reflects a time when a person’s identity was deeply connected to the specific landscape of their home. The presence of the Churchyard family in York during the early seventeenth century suggests they were part of a growing urban middle class that helped sustain the city’s complex religious and civic life.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Cirice and Geard
Old English for church and enclosure or yard.
This name
ChurchyardA topographic name for someone who lived near the burial ground or enclosure of a church.
also spelled
Chirchyard
Churcheyard
Chircheyerd
Churchyerd
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
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
horseReadiness to serve king and country
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
horseReadiness to serve king and country
