A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Brayfield family of England.
Reg. 9282 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
vairProtection, and the winter fur
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
VairMeans: Protection
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. three escallops ar. betw. two bends vair”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Brayfield Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Brayfield arms are recorded
The Brayfield 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 Brayfield 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 Brayfield Family in England
The family name Brayfield is a locative surname, which means it likely originated from a specific place name in England. The name is composed of two Old English elements: "breg," referring to a hill or ridge, and "feld," meaning an open field or pasture. By the time the family was firmly established in York during the year 1620, they were part of a growing urban population in one of England’s most historic northern cities. During this period, families with this name were often involved in local trade and craftsmanship, which was common for residents living within the city walls. As the family settled into York, they became part of the social and economic fabric of the region, contributing to the development of the local community during the early seventeenth century. Their presence in city records from this era suggests they were well-integrated into the daily life of the bustling trade hub that York had become by the early modern period.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Brae and Feld
A hillside or slope and an open area of cleared land.
This name
BrayfieldRefers to someone who lived near an open field situated on a hillside or slope.
also spelled
Brayfeild
Brayfild
Related arms
Brafieldvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1958
Hey, David, The Oxford Guide to Family History, 2002
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
