A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Brandon family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 3049 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Burelé d'arg. et de gu.; au lion d'or, br. sur le tout, sommé d'une couronne partie d'arg. et de gu. C.: une tête de lion d'or, semée de larmes de sa. et sommée d'une couronne coupée d'arg. sur gu.”
Francec. 1513
Where the Brandon Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Brandon arms are recorded
The Brandon arms were recorded in France, c. 1513.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bretagne.
More families held coats of arms in Bretagne than anywhere else in France. The land was divided into many small estates rather than a few large ones, so far more households counted as gentry, and each needed a shield of its own to be told apart.
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 France in this period.
Louis XII of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XII of France
1498–1515
Reigning in France when the Brandon arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of France.
Origin & History of the Brandon Family in France
The history of the Brandon name in France is deeply rooted in the rugged landscape of the Brittany region. By the year 1513, records confirm that members of the family were already established as active participants in local society. During this period, Brittany functioned as a distinct province with its own unique customs and legal traditions following its formal union with the French Crown. The family likely lived as part of the landed gentry or the rising merchant class, navigating the complex social shifts of the early sixteenth century. As the name appears in regional tax rolls and land surveys from that era, it suggests that the Brandons were settled inhabitants who contributed to the economic stability of their local parishes. Their presence in Brittany highlights a long-standing connection to the western coast of France, where the family helped shape the community life of the region for generations.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Or, four palets gu. on a canton sa. a lion ramp. of the field”
EnglandLondon, c. 1620
Where the Brandon Arms Were Recorded
London
Map of England showing where the Brandon arms are recorded
The Brandon arms were recorded in London, 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 France when the Brandon 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 Brandon Family in England
The Brandon surname is a locational name that originated from various places in England known as Brandon, a term derived from the Old English words for broom and hill. By the early seventeenth century, the family had firmly established roots in the bustling environment of London. Records from 1620 show that individuals bearing this name were active participants in the city’s growing commercial and social life during the reign of King James I. As London expanded into a global hub for trade and exploration, the Brandon family members were part of the demographic shift that defined the capital. Their presence in the city during this era suggests they were integrated into the urban workforce and the developing middle class of the time. This period marked a transition for many families as they moved from rural origins to the opportunities found within the city walls.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
brann
A Celtic term referring to a broom or gorse plant.
This name
BrandonDerived from a place name meaning hill covered with broom or gorse.
also spelled
Brandone
Brandonn
Branden
Related arms
Mabberecorded with Brandon, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Potier de Courcy, Pol, Nobiliaire et armorial de Bretagne, 1890
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Réformation de la noblesse de Bretagne, 1513
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lionCourage, strength and royalty
lionCourage, strength and royalty
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
