Map of England showing where the Bread arms are recorded
The Bread arms were recorded in Sussex, c. 1620.
Sussex had ironworks in its woods and good farmland on its downs. Both made money, and families who made it bought manors, which is what put their names in the heraldic records.
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 Bread 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 Sussex.
Origin & History of the Bread Family in England
The family name Bread traces its roots to the rural landscapes of Sussex, where early members were firmly established by the year 1620. During this period, surnames were often derived from a person’s occupation, a physical trait, or the specific location where they lived. It is highly probable that the name originated as a descriptive label for a baker or a person involved in the grain trade, as such names were common in English villages to help distinguish neighbors from one another. Life in seventeenth-century Sussex was centered around agriculture and local markets, meaning that a family associated with bread production would have played a vital role in the daily survival of their community. Over the following generations, the name transitioned from a simple occupational description into a permanent family identifier that was passed down through the centuries.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
bred
Old English term referring to a broad or wide piece of land.
This name
BreadAn occupational or topographical name for someone who lived on a broad stretch of land.
also spelled
Brede
Bred
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
Reaney, Percy Hide, A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
The National Archives, Sussex Quarter Sessions Records, Q/S
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bordureA difference between branches of one family
lionCourage, strength and royalty
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
bordureA difference between branches of one family
lionCourage, strength and royalty
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
