A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Brayn family of England.
Reg. 9311 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
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)
“Az. a chev. embattled betw. three martlets or”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Brayn Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Brayn arms are recorded
The Brayn 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 Brayn 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 Brayn Family in England
The history of the Brayn family name in England is deeply tied to the northern city of York, where records confirm members of the family were living by 1620. During this period, York was a bustling center of trade and religion, and families like the Brayns often worked as skilled craftspeople or merchants to support the local economy. The name itself likely originated as a descriptive nickname or a variation of older regional surnames that evolved as families moved across the English countryside. By settling in York, the early Brayns became part of a long tradition of urban life in one of England’s most historic cities. Their presence in 17th-century parish registers suggests that they were established residents who participated in the social and civic duties of their neighborhood. Over the following generations, the family name became a permanent fixture of the region, reflecting the steady growth and movement of families during the early modern era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bre
A Celtic term referring to a hill or high place.
This name
BraynDerived from a topographical feature indicating someone who lived near a prominent hill.
also spelled
Brain
Braine
Related arms
Brainvariant spelling
Braine, or Braynevariant spelling
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
York City Archives, York City Chamberlains' Accounts, 1620
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
