A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Brain family of England.
Reg. 6068 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
pileWell-doing, and a mark of distinction
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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. three piles, two issuing from the chief, and one from the base vert on a canton sa. a lion's head erased or”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Brain Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Brain arms are recorded
The Brain arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried arms.
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 Brain 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 England.
Origin & History of the Brain Family in England
The surname Brain is an ancient name that likely originated as a nickname in medieval England. It is derived from the Old French word "brai," which was often used to describe someone with a spirited or bold personality. By the time the family was firmly established in York in 1620, the name had already been in use for several centuries across various parts of Britain. During this era, families in northern England often lived in close-knit communities where names were passed down through generations of tradespeople and farmers. The presence of the Brain family in York suggests they were part of the growing urban population during the early seventeenth century, a time when the city was a major center for commerce and regional governance. These early ancestors likely contributed to the local economy of York as the city navigated the social and political changes of the Stuart period.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bren
A Celtic term meaning hill or high place.
This name
BrainA topographic name for someone who lived near a prominent hill or ridge.
also spelled
Brayn
Brayne
Related arms
Brayn, or Braynevariant spelling
Braynevariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Cottle, Basil, The Penguin Dictionary of Surnames, 1967
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
pileWell-doing, and a mark of distinction
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
lionCourage, strength and royalty
pileWell-doing, and a mark of distinction
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
lionCourage, strength and royalty
