A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Breedon family of England.
Reg. 4985 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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. a lion ramp. ar. betw. eight nails or”
NorthamptonCroton · Northampton, c. 1620
Where the Breedon Arms Were Recorded
Northampton
Map of England showing where the Breedon arms are recorded
The Breedon arms were recorded in Northampton, c. 1620.
Northamptonshire was grazing and hunting country in the middle of England, thick with manor houses. Its families were numerous and long-settled, and a settled landed family almost always ended up with 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 Breedon 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 Northampton.
Origin & History of the Breedon Family in England
The surname Breedon is a topographical name that originated in England, likely describing people who lived near a broad hill or a wide valley. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in Northampton, a town with a long history as a center for trade and local government. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Breedon family were active participants in the community during this period, which was a time of significant social and economic change in the region. As the family grew, they became integrated into the local life of the town, contributing to the development of the area through their work and civic involvement. This early foundation in Northampton suggests that the family was well-settled and played a steady role in the life of the English Midlands for generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
bred-dun
Old English words for broad and hill.
This name
BreedonA topographical name referring to someone who lived on or near a wide hill.
also spelled
Breydon
Breeden
Bredden
Related arms
Breydonvariant 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
lionCourage, strength and royalty
lionCourage, strength and royalty
