Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“D'arg. à un chicot, en fasce, feuillé en haut de deux trèfles et en bas d'un seul trè-”
A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bremer family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“D'arg. à un chicot, en fasce, feuillé en haut de deux trèfles et en bas d'un seul trè-”
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.
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.
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.
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)“Erm. three breams haurient, two and one, ppr., on a chief wavy az. two tridents in saltire encircled by a naval crown or, the rim inscribed "Le Weser."”
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.
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.
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.
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)“Ar. a plume of six feathers alternately gu. and or”
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.
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.
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.
A Germanic term referring to a border or edge of land.


