A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Brander family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 7980 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
fireZeal and purification
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Quarterly, 1st and 4th, az. flames of fire ppr.; 2nd and 3rd, az. a saltire humettée or. First Crest, or badge, encircled by sixteen full blown roses alternately red, blue, pink, and yellow—A”
HantsSomerford Grange · Hants, c. 1620
Where the Brander Arms Were Recorded
Hants
Map of England showing where the Brander arms are recorded
The Brander arms were recorded in Hants, c. 1620.
Hampshire had the naval dockyards at Portsmouth on one side and good farmland on the other. Sea money and land money both bought estates, and an estate was what brought a family its coat 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 Brander 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 Hants.
Origin & History of the Brander Family in England
The surname Brander carries a history deeply rooted in the landscape of southern England, particularly within the county of Hampshire. By the early 17th century, records confirm that members of the Brander family were well-established residents of this region. The name itself likely originated as a descriptive occupational term, potentially referring to someone who worked with fire or metal, such as a burner of charcoal or a blacksmith. As these families settled into local life, they became part of the agricultural and social fabric of Hampshire, participating in the parish systems that defined English life during the Stuart era. Over the following generations, the family expanded from these initial roots, maintaining a presence in the area while contributing to the local commerce and community development that characterized the English countryside.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
lionCourage, strength and royalty
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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. a flaming bush on the top of a mount ppr. betw. three lions ramp. ar. in the flanks two roses of the last”
ElginPitgaveny House · Elgin, c. 1777
Where the Brander Arms Were Recorded
Elgin
Map of Scotland showing where the Brander arms are recorded
The Brander arms were recorded in Elgin, c. 1777.
Elgin, now Moray, was rich farming country on Scotland's north-east coast with a cathedral at its centre. Church and land both brought standing, and standing was marked with 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 Scotland in this period.
George III of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George III of Great Britain
1760–1801
Reigning in England when the Brander arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Scotland
Scottish heraldry is unique because it treats a coat of arms as a piece of personal property protected by law. Only one person can own a specific design at any given time. When a family grows, the head keeps the original shield while other relatives must apply for their own distinct version with slight changes to prove their specific identity.
Granting authority
The Court of the Lord Lyon acts as the official body that regulates and controls all heraldic matters throughout Scotland.
How they got arms
Individuals obtain a legal right to their arms through a formal petition process that confirms their identity and family connection.
Where arms were recorded
All valid coats of arms are officially entered into the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings starting from 1672.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Elgin.
Origin & History of the Brander Family in Scotland
The name Brander has deep roots in the northeastern region of Scotland, particularly within the historic royal burgh of Elgin. While the name likely originated as a descriptive term for someone who worked with fire or lived near a place where land was cleared by burning, the family established a firm presence in Moray by the late 18th century. By 1777, records confirm that the Branders were active members of the Elgin community, participating in the local economy and social life of this ancient cathedral town. During this period, the family became well-regarded figures in the region, often associated with the development of local trade and the management of land. Their history is closely tied to the shifting landscape of northern Scotland, where they transitioned from local residents into influential members of the professional and mercantile classes. This steady rise in status allowed the family to leave a lasting mark on the civic records of Elgin, reflecting the broader patterns of Scottish family development during the Enlightenment era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Brandr
Old Norse word meaning sword or firebrand.
This name
BranderA habitational name for someone who lived near a place cleared by burning.
also spelled
Brandor
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
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
fireZeal and purification
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
fireZeal and purification
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
lionCourage, strength and royalty
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
