A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Brearey family of England.
Reg. 6271 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Ar. a cross potent gu. betw. four torteaux a canton az”
YorkBrearey · York, c. 1620
Where the Brearey Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Brearey arms are recorded
The Brearey arms were recorded in York, c. 1620.
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 Brearey 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 York.
Origin & History of the Brearey Family in England
The family name Brearey is deeply rooted in the historic city of York, where records confirm the family was well-established by the year 1620. The name itself is topographical in origin, likely derived from the Old English words for a clearing or a hillside covered in briars. During the seventeenth century, members of the Brearey family rose to prominence within the city’s social and political structures, often serving as influential merchants and civic leaders. Their presence in York during this era suggests they were part of the growing urban middle class that helped shape the local economy and governance of the region. By settling in such a significant historical hub, the family became woven into the fabric of Northern English life, leaving behind a legacy that is still reflected in local parish registers and municipal documents from the Stuart period.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
braer
Old English term referring to a briar or thorny shrub.
This name
BreareyA topographic name for someone who lived near a patch of wild briars or thorny bushes.
also spelled
Breary
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Drake, Francis, Eboracum: or the History and Antiquities of the City of York, 1736
The National Archives, State Papers Domestic, James I, SP 14
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, Y/PR
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
cross symbolChristian faith and service
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
