Map of England showing where the Bramham arms are recorded
The Bramham arms were recorded in Leicestershire, 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 England when the Bramham 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 Leicestershire.
Origin & History of the Bramham Family in England
The surname Bramham is a locative name, which means it was originally taken from a specific place to help identify a person. The name is derived from the village of Bramham in West Yorkshire, which was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as Bramham. Over many generations, families who moved away from this village began to use the name as a way to describe their origins. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the Bramham family were well established in the county of Leicestershire. During this period, families in Leicestershire were often involved in agriculture or local trade, and the movement of people from the north of England toward the Midlands was common as individuals sought new land and opportunities. This migration helped spread the name across different regions of England, turning a local village identifier into a lasting family surname.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Brom-ham
Broom plant and a homestead or village settlement.
This name
BramhamA locational surname referring to a village settlement overgrown with broom shrubs.
also spelled
Bromham
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Faull, M. L. and Stinson, M. (eds.), Domesday Book: Yorkshire, 1986
Reaney, P. H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
The National Archives, Leicestershire Parish Registers, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
