A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Braithwaite family of England.
Reg. 1706 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
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Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Gu. on a chev. ar. three crosses crosslet fitchée sa”
LancasterHigh Wray · Lancaster, c. 1620
Where the Braithwaite Arms Were Recorded
Lancaster
Map of England showing where the Braithwaite arms are recorded
The Braithwaite arms were recorded in Lancaster, c. 1620.
Lancashire was divided among a great many small landed families, more than most northern counties. Estates were passed down whole rather than split up, so the same names hold the same ground for centuries in the records.
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 Braithwaite 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 Lancaster.
Origin & History of the Braithwaite Family in England
The surname Braithwaite is of Old Norse origin and describes a specific type of landscape. It is derived from the words "breiðr," meaning broad, and "þveit," which refers to a clearing or a piece of land separated from a larger estate. This suggests that the earliest ancestors to carry the name were likely farmers or settlers who lived in a wide clearing within a forested area of Northern England. By the year 1620, the family had established a notable presence in the county of Lancaster. During this period, the Braithwaites were deeply integrated into the local community, living as part of the regional social structure that defined life in Northwest England. Their history is tied to the rugged geography of the region, reflecting a long tradition of families who took their identity from the very soil they cultivated.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Breiðr and þveit
Old Norse for broad or wide and a piece of land.
This name
BraithwaiteDerived from a location meaning a broad clearing or meadow in a forest.
also spelled
Braythwaite
Braythwayt
Brathwaite
Braithwayt
Related arms
Wilsonrecorded with Braithwaite, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Ekwall, Eilert. The Place-Names of Lancashire. 1922
Mills, Anthony David. A Dictionary of English Place-Names. 1991
The National Archives. Lancashire Quarter Sessions Records, QSP/1/1-10. 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cross symbolChristian faith and service
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cross symbolChristian faith and service
