A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Brace family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 5080 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
armA person of action, industrious and laborious
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Sa. a bend betw. two hands and arms couped at the elbows ar. habited in mail ppr”
WorcestershireWorcestershire, c. 1620
Where the Brace Arms Were Recorded
Worcestershire
Map of England showing where the Brace arms are recorded
The Brace arms were recorded in Worcestershire, c. 1620.
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 Brace 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 Worcestershire.
Origin & History of the Brace Family in England
The family name Brace has deep roots in the English county of Worcestershire, where records confirm members of the family were well-established by the early seventeenth century. The name itself is thought to have originated as a descriptive nickname, likely derived from the Old French word *bracier*, which referred to a person who brewed ale or beer. During the medieval period, surnames were often adopted to identify a person by their trade, and this occupational title eventually became a hereditary family name passed down through generations. By the time the family appeared in official Worcestershire documents in 1620, they were part of a long tradition of English families who had transitioned from simple trade identifiers to settled landowners and community members. This history reflects the broader evolution of English society, where local families grew alongside the development of regional commerce and the stabilization of record-keeping in rural parishes.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
branchPeace, and new growth
ladderAmbition, and a fearless assault
flag / pennantA command held, and a following kept
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Or, within two branches az. betw. a lion ramp. and a scaling ladder three rungs ppr., a chief wavy thereon upon a neck of land ppr., into the sea a fortified circular lighthouse with a red flag flying towards the sinister, all ppr., bearing [?] to represent that part of the works defending the town and port of Algiers, to which H.M.S. Impregnable, commanded by Sir EDWARD BRACE, was opposed in the memorable battle of the 25th August, 1816”
Scotlandc. 1816
Where the Brace Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Brace arms are recorded
The Brace arms were recorded in Scotland, c. 1816.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Edinburgh.
Edinburgh was the seat of Scotland's government, its courts and its heralds. Families with business there settled nearby, and being close to where arms were recorded is exactly why so many of them appear.
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 Scotland in this period.
George III of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George III of Great Britain
1801–1820
Reigning in England when the Brace arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Scotland
Scottish heraldry is unique because it treats a coat of arms as a piece of personal property protected by law. Only one person can own a specific design at any given time. When a family grows, the head keeps the original shield while other relatives must apply for their own distinct version with slight changes to prove their specific identity.
Granting authority
The Court of the Lord Lyon acts as the official body that regulates and controls all heraldic matters throughout Scotland.
How they got arms
Individuals obtain a legal right to their arms through a formal petition process that confirms their identity and family connection.
Where arms were recorded
All valid coats of arms are officially entered into the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings starting from 1672.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Scotland.
Origin & History of the Brace Family in Scotland
The history of the Brace family in Scotland is deeply connected to the urban growth of Edinburgh during the early nineteenth century. By 1816, records indicate that members of the family were already established residents within the city, a time when Edinburgh was undergoing significant architectural and social expansion. The name itself likely originated from occupational or descriptive roots, reflecting the movement of people across the border regions between England and Scotland during earlier centuries. As the city transitioned into a hub of industry and trade, families like the Braces integrated into the local economy, contributing to the professional life of the capital. Their presence in the city archives during this period suggests they were part of the growing middle class that helped shape the modern character of Edinburgh.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
brachium
Latin term referring to an arm or a measurement of length.
This name
BraceA nickname for a person with strong arms or a measurement of length.
also spelled
Brase
Bracey
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
Worcestershire Archive and Archaeology Service, Parish Register Transcripts for the Diocese of Worcester, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
armA person of action, industrious and laborious
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
armA person of action, industrious and laborious
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
branchPeace, and new growth
ladderAmbition, and a fearless assault
flag / pennantA command held, and a following kept
