A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bramwell family of England.
Reg. 2270 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
pelicanSelf-sacrifice and devotion to one's children
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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 pelicans' heads erased az. vulning themselves gu”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Bramwell Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Bramwell arms are recorded
The Bramwell 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 Bramwell 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 Bramwell Family in England
The surname Bramwell is a locational name that originated in England, likely referring to someone who lived near a well situated within a field of broom plants. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the city of York. Records confirm that members of the Bramwell family were living there by 1620, a time when York served as a vital hub for trade and administration in the north of England. Families during this period often settled in urban centers to participate in the growing merchant guilds or to serve in local government roles. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of the region, contributing to the local economy and the historical development of the city. Their presence in York during this era reflects the broader movement of families seeking stability and opportunity in established English towns.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Brom-wella
Old English for broom shrub and a spring or stream.
This name
BramwellDerived from a location meaning a spring or stream where broom shrubs grow.
also spelled
Bramwelle
Bramwelll
Bramwel
Bramwall
Bramwill
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Reaney, Percy Hide, A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
York City Archives, York City Chamberlains' Account Rolls, 1620
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pelicanSelf-sacrifice and devotion to one's children
pelicanSelf-sacrifice and devotion to one's children
