A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Branson family of England.
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)“Per pale and per chev. counterchanged ar. and sa”
The Branson 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.
Reigning in England when the Branson arms are first recorded.
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.
The surname Branson is a patronymic name, which means it originally identified a person as the son of someone named Bran. The name Bran is of ancient Celtic origin and translates to mean raven, a bird often associated with wisdom and protection in early folklore. By the year 1620, records confirm that families bearing this name were well-established in the historic city of York, England. During this period, York served as a major center for trade and religious life, placing the Branson family at the heart of a bustling northern community. As the family grew, they integrated into the local economy, likely working as skilled tradespeople or merchants who helped shape the social fabric of the city. Over time, the name evolved from a simple description of ancestry into a permanent family identity that was passed down through generations.
Old Norse name meaning sword or firebrand.
