A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Brenda family of England.
Reg. 9641 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
handFaith, sincerity and justice
lanceKnightly service and the tilt
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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. on a chev. betw. three sinister hands couped sa. as many spear heads of the field”
NorfolkNorfolk, c. 1620
Where the Brenda Arms Were Recorded
Norfolk
Map of England showing where the Brenda arms are recorded
The Brenda arms were recorded in Norfolk, c. 1620.
Norfolk grew rich on wool and grain, and its wealth was spread among many middling families rather than a few great ones. Households of that kind bought land and took arms, and the county holds a large share of English names.
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 Brenda 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 Norfolk.
Origin & History of the Brenda Family in England
The name Brenda is traditionally considered a feminine given name of Old Norse origin, derived from the word *brandr*, which translates to a sword or a torch. While it is not a common surname, its presence in Norfolk by 1620 suggests that the family was part of the steady migration and settlement patterns seen in East Anglia during the early seventeenth century. During this era, families in Norfolk were often deeply connected to the local agricultural economy and the growing maritime trade centered in nearby ports. The arrival of the family in this region aligns with a period of significant social change in England, where surnames were becoming firmly established as a way to track lineage and property. By living in Norfolk, these early ancestors were situated in a hub of English history that saw both the expansion of local parish records and the beginning of colonial exploration.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Brandr
Old Norse word meaning sword or firebrand.
This name
BrendaDerived from the Norse term for sword, often associated with strength and fire.
also spelled
Brend
Brenday
Related arms
Brownesimilar arms
Brendevariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Norfolk Record Office, Parish Register Transcripts, 1620
Hanks, Patrick, Dictionary of American Family Names, 2003
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
handFaith, sincerity and justice
lanceKnightly service and the tilt
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
handFaith, sincerity and justice
lanceKnightly service and the tilt
