Berkshire History: Family Heraldry: B

	BACKHOUSE The Backhouse family, originally from Cumberland & Lancashire, rose through the London merchant classes. They purchased the Manors of Swallowfield & Sindlesham in the late 16th century, where they appear in the Heralds' Visitation of 1666. They later became baronets. There appears to have been an earlier coat of different design.
	BERTIE The Bertie family were originally from Lincolnshire where they were Lords Willoughby & Earls of Lindsey. His Lordship married the maternal grandaughter of the Norreys Earl of Berkshire and a younger son was created Earl of Abingdon in 1682. The family's chief residences were Rycote House (Oxfordshire) and Wytham Abbey.
	BESSELS The family who gave their name to Besselsleigh. They inherited the manor from the Leighs in the mid-14th century. They were also Lords of the Manors of Carswell (Buckland) & Tyntons (Appleton). Their heirs were the ubiquitous Fettiplace family, in whose quaterings their arms are often displayed.
	BLAGRAVE The Blagraves, and more recently Blagroves, are perhaps one of the best known heraldic families in Berkshire. They inherited Bulmersh Court (Sonning) from William Grey, the poet MP, and later purchased Southcote Manor & Calcot Park. Another branch came from Shrivenham. There is a street in Reading named after them.
	BROCAS Best known as residents of Beaurepaire (Sherborne St. John), this Gascon family did not withdraw to Hampshire obscurity until falling from favour for supporting Richard II. In prior years, they favoured their manor of Clewer Brocas. Hence the 'Brocas Fields' in Eton. In the early 19th century, the family lived at Wokefield Park (Stratfield Mortimer).
	BURDETT An ancient heraldic family who appear occasionally marrying into Berkshire families, notably the Englefields. One branch, identified by their martlets, inherited the manor of Weston (Welford) from the Langham & Jones families in 1774. They were lords there throughout the Victorian era.