Map of Ireland showing where the Bradish arms are recorded
The Bradish arms were recorded in Down, c. 1645.
Down was north-eastern Irish country settled from Scotland in the seventeenth century. The new landowners took grants and had them recorded, which is why so many Down families carry documented shields.
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 Ireland in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in Ireland when the Bradish arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Down.
Origin & History of the Bradish Family in Ireland
The Bradish family name has a distinct history in Ireland that centers on the county of Down during the mid-seventeenth century. Historical documents confirm that members of the family were established in this region by 1645, a time marked by significant political and social upheaval across the island. The name is believed to be of English origin, likely brought to Ireland by settlers who moved across the Irish Sea during the periods of plantation and land redistribution. Once in Ireland, the family integrated into the local administrative and social structures of the northern counties. Over the following generations, the Bradish name became associated with the shifting landscape of colonial Ireland, as families sought to secure land and establish roots in a new territory. While the name remained relatively rare, its presence in early modern records helps trace the movement of people who helped shape the demographic character of County Down.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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. two bars gu. betw. nine lions pass. guard. or”
BuckinghamshireBuckinghamshire, c. 1506
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of England showing where the Bradish arms are recorded
The Bradish arms were recorded in Buckinghamshire, c. 1506.
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.
Henry VII of England
Sovereign of the period
Henry VII of England
1485–1509
Reigning in Ireland when the Bradish 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 Buckinghamshire.
Origin & History of the Bradish Family in England
The family name Bradish has deep roots in the English countryside, with historical records confirming the presence of the family in Buckinghamshire as early as 1506. During this period, the name was likely linked to the geography of the region, as many surnames of that era were derived from specific locations or local landmarks. By the sixteenth century, the Bradish family was established among the rural population, living through a time of significant social and economic change in England. As the Tudor era progressed, families like the Bradishes played a quiet but essential role in the agricultural life of the county. They were part of the backbone of English village society, contributing to the local economy and the development of their community over many generations. This early presence in Buckinghamshire serves as a vital anchor for understanding how the family name became embedded in the history of the English landscape.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bredagh
Derived from the Irish word for a wolf or wild place.
This name
BradishAn anglicized form of an Irish habitational name referring to someone from a wolf-inhabited area.
also spelled
Bradshay
Bradshaigh
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Pender, Seamus. A Census of Ireland, circa 1659. 1939
Public Record Office of Northern Ireland, Down Survey of Ireland (Records of land ownership and settlement)
Simington, Robert C. The Civil Survey, A.D. 1654–1656. 1931
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
lionCourage, strength and royalty
