A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Brandow family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 4175 · 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
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Map of France showing where the Brandow arms are recorded
The Brandow 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 Brandow 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 Brandow Family in France
The history of the Brandow family name in France is deeply rooted in the coastal region of Brittany. Records from 1513 confirm that members of the family were established in this area during the early sixteenth century. At that time, Brittany was a distinct province with its own unique culture and language that differed from the rest of France. Families living in this region often worked in trades related to the sea or local agriculture. The name likely evolved as a way to identify these specific individuals within their local community. Over time, the family became part of the social fabric of the Breton countryside. Their presence in official tax or land documents from this era shows that they were active participants in the local economy. By studying these early records, we can see how the family maintained a steady presence in 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
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Map of England showing where the Brandow arms are recorded
The Brandow 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 Brandow 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 Brandow Family in England
The family name Brandow traces its roots to the bustling urban environment of seventeenth-century London. By the year 1620, records indicate that individuals bearing this name were already established within the city, likely participating in the vibrant trade and craft industries that defined the era. During this period, London served as a primary hub for commerce, drawing people from various regions who sought opportunities in the growing mercantile economy. The presence of the family in such a central location suggests they were part of the working class or the emerging middle class that fueled the city's expansion. While the exact origins of the name remain tied to these early London residents, their life in the capital placed them at the heart of a transformative time in English history. As the city grew, families like the Brandows contributed to the social fabric of a nation preparing to expand its influence across the seas.
Brandow Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Brand
Old Germanic term referring to a sword or a burning torch.
This name
BrandowA locational surname derived from a place where land was cleared by burning.
also spelled
Brandone
Brandonn
Branden
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Poter, Arthur de La, Réformation des fouages de 1513, 1865
Archives départementales de Loire-Atlantique, Série B: Cours et juridictions
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
lionCourage, strength and royalty
lionCourage, strength and royalty
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
