The heralds would then record the arms as a way of insuring that a family maintained its protective rights to have and use its individual arms. The Burchett name is intertwined with heraldry and history. Heraldry offers a fascinating study of medieval lifestyles where we can surmise much regarding your Burchett forebearers. Historically, different creatures of nature denoted certain characteristics, and various inanimate shapes implied certain traits, historical factors or aspirations. For example, the chevron symbolized protection, and has often been placed on arms to tell others that its bearer achieved some notable feat.
Many arms reveal a person's occupation.
Others tell about less tangible characteristics, such as the early bearer's hopes, wishes and aspirations. For example, hope is shown by a wheat garb or sheaf, and joy by garlands of flowers or a red rose. Crosses and religious symbols often meant the person felt a closeness to the supernatural, or could have symbolized that the knight was a veteran of one of history's bloodiest battles - the Crusades. Heraldic research is full of proud warriors boasting their war records via their Coats of Arms. The first arms were quite simple, consisting only of the shield.