A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Brames family of England.
Reg. 5898 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Sa. on a chief ar. a demi lion ramp. gu”
KentKent, c. 1620
Where the Brames Arms Were Recorded
Kent
Map of England showing where the Brames arms are recorded
The Brames arms were recorded in Kent, c. 1620.
Kent sits between London and the short crossing to Europe, and the trade passing through made it wealthy. Merchant families bought land with that money, and it was landowners who took coats of 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 Brames 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 Kent.
Origin & History of the Brames Family in England
The Brames family name has deep roots in the county of Kent, England, where members of the family were firmly established by the year 1620. During the early seventeenth century, the family was notably active in the coastal town of Dover. Historical records indicate that they were involved in the local merchant class, which was a common path for families seeking to build influence in busy port towns. Because Dover served as a primary gateway for trade and travel between England and the European continent, the Brames family likely benefited from the constant flow of goods and people. Over time, the family name became associated with the social and economic life of the region, reflecting the typical experience of English families who helped shape the local history of Kent during the Stuart period.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bram
Old Norse word for a bramble or thorny bush.
This name
BramesA topographical surname for someone who lived near a thicket of brambles.
also spelled
Bramis
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Archdeaconry Court of Canterbury, Wills and Administrations, 1620
The National Archives, State Papers Domestic, James I, 1620
Everitt, Alan, Continuity and Colonization: The Evolution of Kentish Settlement, 1986
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
