A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bradbury family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 4532 · Scottish, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Ar. in base on a mount vert, a tiger pass. ppr. on a chief of the second, two tigers dormant also ppr”
Scotlandc. 1748
Where the Bradbury Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Bradbury arms are recorded
The Bradbury arms were recorded in Scotland, c. 1748.
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 II of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George II of Great Britain
1727–1760
Reigning in Scotland when the Bradbury 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 Bradbury Family in Scotland
The Bradbury family name has deep roots that connect to the evolving landscape of 18th-century Scotland. While the name itself is of English origin, historical records confirm that members of the Bradbury family were well-established in Edinburgh by 1748. During this era, Edinburgh was a center of rapid intellectual and social growth known as the Scottish Enlightenment. Families living in the city at this time often participated in the expanding trade networks and the professional life of the capital. Because the name appears in local registers during this period, it suggests that the Bradburys were part of the urban migration that helped shape the city’s identity. By settling in such a prominent location, these early family members became part of the long history of migration and integration that defines the Scottish experience.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
buckleFidelity, and a bond firmly held
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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. two chevronels or, betw. four buckles, three in chief and one in base ar”
LancashireLancashire, c. 1620
Where the Bradbury Arms Were Recorded
Lancashire
Map of England showing where the Bradbury arms are recorded
The Bradbury arms were recorded in Lancashire, 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 Scotland when the Bradbury 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 Lancashire.
Origin & History of the Bradbury Family in England
The Bradbury family name is a locational surname that originated in England during the medieval period. It is derived from the Old English words "brad," meaning broad, and "burh," meaning a fortified place or town. This suggests that the earliest ancestors to carry the name likely lived near a prominent, wide-reaching earthwork or a significant settlement. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the county of Lancashire. During this era, families in Lancashire were often deeply involved in local agriculture and the emerging textile trade, which defined the regional economy. The movement of the family from their ancestral roots toward the industrializing hubs of the north helped shape their long-standing connection to the landscape of northwest England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bradan-burh
Old English for salmon and a fortified settlement or town.
This name
BradburyRefers to a dweller near a fortified place located by a salmon stream.
also spelled
Bradbery
Bradberry
Related arms
Bradberryvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
National Records of Scotland, Old Parish Registers of Births and Baptisms (Edinburgh)
National Records of Scotland, Testamentary Records (Commissariot of Edinburgh)
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