Bremer Coat of Arms Record & History

A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bremer family lines. Documented in 3 countries.

Reg. 4191 · German, A–C

Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details

Where the Bremer Arms Were Recorded

Hambourg
Map of Germany showing where the Bremer arms are recorded

The Bremer arms were recorded in Hambourg, c. 1765.

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.

Region
Hambourg
Town
Hambourg
First recorded
1765

Granting Authority for the Bremer Arms

Arms of Imperial grant of arms
Imperial grant of arms Ipankonin · CC BY-SA 3.0
Authority

Imperial grant of arms

962-1806

The body that granted and recorded arms in Germany in this period.

Portrait of Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period

Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor

1745–1765

Reigning in Germany when the Bremer arms are first recorded.

How Arms Worked in Germany

In the Holy Roman Empire, coats of arms were often granted to individuals by the Emperor or his representatives. These arms were then passed down through the generations to all legitimate descendants of the original holder. Younger branches of a family usually kept the same shield design without needing to change it, as the arms belonged to the entire lineage.

Granting authority
The Holy Roman Emperor held the sole power to grant new coats of arms throughout his vast imperial territories.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal imperial grant or by proving their noble status to the authorities.
Where arms were recorded
These grants were officially recorded in the Imperial Chancery registers, which began keeping formal records of such honors during the Middle Ages.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Germany.

Origin & History of the Bremer Family in Germany

The surname Bremer is a classic example of a topographic name, which means it was originally used to identify people based on where they lived. In the German language, the name signifies someone who hailed from the city of Bremen or a person who lived near a specific type of marshy land often called a "brem." By the time the family was firmly established in Hamburg in 1765, the name had already been in use for several centuries across Northern Germany. During this period, Hamburg was a bustling center of trade and commerce within the Holy Roman Empire. Families like the Bremers were often part of the growing urban middle class that helped shape the city’s economy through shipping, craftsmanship, or trade. Because Hamburg served as a vital gateway to the North Sea, the presence of the Bremer family there suggests they were likely integrated into the active mercantile life of the region during the eighteenth century.

Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details

Where the Bremer Arms Were Recorded

York
Map of England showing where the Bremer arms are recorded

The Bremer 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.

Region
York
First recorded
1620

Granting Authority for the Bremer Arms

Arms of College of Arms
College of Arms Sodacan · CC BY-SA 3.0
Authority

College of Arms

1484-present

The body that granted and recorded arms in England in this period.

Portrait of James VI and I
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period

James VI and I

1603–1625

Reigning in Germany when the Bremer 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 Bremer Family in England

The family name Bremer has roots that reach back to the northern regions of Europe, but its presence in England became firmly established by the early seventeenth century. Records confirm that members of the Bremer family were living in the historic city of York by 1620. During this period, York served as a vital center for trade and religious life in Northern England. Families with this name likely arrived through the busy North Sea shipping routes that connected English ports to the coastal cities of the Hanseatic League. Once in York, these individuals integrated into the local economy, likely working as merchants or skilled craftsmen who benefited from the city’s long-standing tradition of international commerce. By settling in such a prominent administrative hub, the early Bremers became part of the social fabric of Yorkshire, helping to anchor the name within the English landscape for generations to come.

Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details

Where the Bremer Arms Were Recorded

Dublin
Map of Ireland showing where the Bremer arms are recorded

The Bremer arms were recorded in Ireland, c. 1645.

Arms such as these were typically recorded in Dublin.

Dublin was the seat of government in Ireland and the place where grants were sought and recorded. Families with business at the castle or the courts settled nearby, and settling there put their arms on record.

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.

Region
Dublin
First recorded
1645

Granting Authority for the Bremer Arms

Arms of Ulster King of Arms
Ulster King of Arms Sodacan · CC BY-SA 3.0
Authority

Ulster King of Arms

1552-1943

The body that granted and recorded arms in Ireland in this period.

Portrait of Charles I of England
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period

Charles I of England

1625–1649

Reigning in Germany when the Bremer arms are first recorded.

How Arms Worked in Ireland

The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.

Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Ireland.

Origin & History of the Bremer Family in Ireland

The history of the Bremer family in Ireland is rooted in the bustling urban environment of seventeenth-century Dublin. By 1645, records confirm that members of the family were already established residents within the city walls. The name itself is of Germanic origin, typically referring to someone who hailed from the city of Bremen, which suggests that the family arrived in Ireland as part of the waves of continental European merchants and tradespeople who sought new opportunities in the capital. During this period, Dublin was a vital port city that attracted skilled settlers from across the North Sea. These early family members likely integrated into the local economy by utilizing their connections to continental trade networks. Their presence in the city during the mid-1600s highlights how Ireland served as a destination for families looking to establish themselves in a growing center of commerce and administration.

Related Branches & Arms

Root word
Bremen

A Germanic term referring to a border or edge of land.

This name
BremerAn inhabitant or person who originated from the city of Bremen in Germany.
also spelled
Bremar
Bremerre

Documented Sources

J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87

Bahlow, Hans, Deutsches Namenlexikon: Familien- und Vornamen nach Ursprung und Sinn erklärt, 1967

Heintze, Albert, Die deutschen Familien-Namen: geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich, 1903

Staatsarchiv Hamburg, Hamburger Kirchenbücher (Tauf-, Heirats- und Sterberegister), 1765

Framed, black wood 11 × 14 in, printed on heavy archival paper, framed in black wood and ready to hang.
$119.00
Free shipping
Set of 4 mugs Four matching 11 oz white ceramic mugs, dishwasher safe, the arms printed on each.
$49.99
Free shipping
Family cap - unisex Walnut bill, cream crown, one size fits all. The arms on the front.
$39.99
Free shipping
Digital archive pack Coat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Framed, black wood 11 × 14 in, printed on heavy archival paper, framed in black wood and ready to hang.
$119.00
Free shipping
Set of 4 mugs Four matching 11 oz white ceramic mugs, dishwasher safe, the arms printed on each.
$49.99
Free shipping
Family cap - unisex Walnut bill, cream crown, one size fits all. The arms on the front.
$39.99
Free shipping
Digital archive pack Coat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Framed, black wood 11 × 14 in, printed on heavy archival paper, framed in black wood and ready to hang.
$119.00
Free shipping
Set of 4 mugs Four matching 11 oz white ceramic mugs, dishwasher safe, the arms printed on each.
$49.99
Free shipping
Family cap - unisex Walnut bill, cream crown, one size fits all. The arms on the front.
$39.99
Free shipping
Digital archive pack Coat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.