A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Brenton family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
Reg. 1507 · Britain, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
lionCourage, strength and royalty
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
shipEnterprise, and a great voyage undertaken
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“De gu. au lion d'arg., acc. de trois martinets du même; au canton d'or, ch. de la poupe d'un vaisseau de ligne, au nat. Cq. timbré d'une couronne navale, le cercle ch. du mot SPARTAN. C.: un cygne d'arg., semé de larmes de gu. D.: GO THROUGH.”
Britainc. 1812
Where the Brenton Arms Were Recorded
Kent
Map of Britain showing where the Brenton arms are recorded
The Brenton arms were recorded in Britain, c. 1812.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Kent.
Kent sits between London and the short crossing to Europe, and the trade passing through made it wealthy. Merchant families bought land with that money, and it was landowners who took coats of 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 Britain in this period.
George III of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George III of Great Britain
1801–1820
Reigning in Britain when the Brenton arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Britain
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 Britain.
Origin & History of the Brenton Family in Britain
The surname Brenton is rooted in the landscape of medieval England, originating as a locative name for people who lived in or near a place called Brenton. The name is derived from Old English terms, combining the word for a steep hill or a place where wood was burned with the word for a settlement or enclosure. While families bearing this name were scattered across various English counties, the presence of Brentons in Kent by the early nineteenth century reflects the common movement of families toward the expanding industrial and agricultural hubs of the southeast. By 1812, these individuals were part of a long-standing tradition of English families who maintained their identity through local community ties and regional stability. This history highlights how a name originally tied to a specific patch of land evolved into a family identifier that persisted through generations of social and economic change in Britain.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
lionCourage, strength and royalty
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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. betw. three martlets ar. on a canton or, the stern of a ship of the line ppr”
Irelandc. 1645
Where the Brenton Arms Were Recorded
Dublin
Map of Ireland showing where the Brenton arms are recorded
The Brenton 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 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 Britain when the Brenton 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 Brenton Family in Ireland
The history of the Brenton name in Ireland is deeply connected to the shifting political landscape of the seventeenth century. By 1645, records confirm that members of the Brenton family were already established in Dublin, a city that served as the primary hub for administrative and military activity during this turbulent era. At that time, Dublin was a center for English settlers and officials who moved to Ireland to manage land and trade interests. The presence of the Brentons in the capital suggests they were likely involved in the professional or merchant classes that helped run the city during the mid-1600s. As the family integrated into Irish society, they navigated the complex social changes brought on by the Cromwellian period and the subsequent restoration of the monarchy. Their early footprint in Dublin highlights how the family became part of the urban fabric of Ireland long before the name spread to other regions of the country.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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. a chev. gu. betw. three martlets sa”
HerefordshireHerefordshire, c. 1620
Where the Brenton Arms Were Recorded
Herefordshire
Map of England showing where the Brenton arms are recorded
The Brenton arms were recorded in Herefordshire, c. 1620.
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 Britain when the Brenton 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 Herefordshire.
Origin & History of the Brenton Family in England
The surname Brenton is rooted in the landscape of medieval England, likely originating as a locational name derived from a place where a stream or a hill was a prominent feature. By the early seventeenth century, the family established a notable presence in the county of Herefordshire. This region, situated along the border of Wales, was a place of significant agricultural activity and social transition during the year 1620. Families living in this area often worked the land or participated in local trade, contributing to the development of rural English society. As the name spread from its point of origin, it became linked to the specific customs and community life of the West Midlands, marking the Brenton family as part of the long history of English regional identity.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Brigantinos
Derived from the Celtic word for high or elevated place.
This name
BrentonRefers to someone who originated from a steep hill or a high settlement.
also spelled
Brenten
Brinton
Brentin
Brentan
Brentun
Related arms
Broughtonsimilar arms
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1997
Mills, A.D., A Dictionary of British Place-Names, 2011
The National Archives, Census Returns of England and Wales, 1841–1901
Kent History and Library Centre, Parish Registers of Kent, 1538–1912
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cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
lionCourage, strength and royalty
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
shipEnterprise, and a great voyage undertaken
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
lionCourage, strength and royalty
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
shipEnterprise, and a great voyage undertaken
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
