A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Brenon family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 0104 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'arg. à la fasce d'azur, frettée d'or.”
ForezForez, c. 1663
Where the Brenon Arms Were Recorded
Forez
Map of France showing where the Brenon arms are recorded
The Brenon arms were recorded in Forez, c. 1663.
Forez was a small upland county in central France, thick with minor gentry holding modest estates. Its families were more numerous than wealthy, and even a small holding was enough for a shield of one's own.
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 France in this period.
Louis XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Brenon arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Forez.
Origin & History of the Brenon Family in France
The family name Brenon traces its roots back to the historical province of Forez in central France, where records confirm the presence of the family as early as 1663. During the seventeenth century, this region was characterized by a mix of agricultural communities and growing trade networks, placing the Brenon family within a society deeply connected to the land and local parish life. The name itself likely evolved from regional dialects or nicknames common to the people living in the Massif Central mountains. As residents of Forez, the early Brenons lived through a period of significant transition as the French monarchy consolidated power over the provinces. By maintaining their presence in this specific area, the family became part of the long-standing cultural fabric of the region, contributing to the local traditions and labor that defined life in rural France during the reign of King Louis XIV.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
handFaith, sincerity and justice
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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 lion ramp. az. in chief two dexter hands couped at the wrist gu”
IrelandConnaught, c. 1645
Where the Brenon Arms Were Recorded
Dublin
Map of Ireland showing where the Brenon arms are recorded
The Brenon arms were recorded in Connaught, 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 body that granted and recorded arms in Ireland in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in France when the Brenon 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 Brenon Family in Ireland
The Brenon family name has roots in Ireland that stretch back to the mid-seventeenth century, with documented evidence placing members of the family in Dublin by 1645. During this period, Dublin was a bustling center of trade and political transition, making it a significant location for families to establish themselves amidst the shifting social landscape of the time. The name likely evolved as a variation of older Gaelic surnames, adapting its spelling as it integrated into the urban environment of the capital city. Living in Dublin during the 1640s meant that the family was present during a time of great upheaval, including the Irish Confederate Wars, which fundamentally changed the ownership of land and the structure of society. By settling in the city, the early Brenons became part of the growing community of merchants and tradespeople who helped define the character of Dublin throughout the seventeenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Brennos
A Celtic term meaning prince, king, or leader.
This name
BrenonDerived from a diminutive form of the Celtic word for a leader or chieftain.
also spelled
Brennon
Brenan
Brenin
Brenun
Related arms
Brenanvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales de la Loire, Registres paroissiaux de l'état civil, 1663
Fournial, Étienne, Les villes et l'économie d'échange en Forez aux XIIIe et XIVe siècles, 1967
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fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
handFaith, sincerity and justice
lionCourage, strength and royalty
