A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bretherton family of England.
Reg. 4199 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cross symbolChristian faith and service
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Per chev. engr. sa. and ar. in chief two lions pass. and in base a cross moline counterchanged. (This coat is borne on an escutcheon of pretence by the Marchesa Stapleton Bretherton. See Stapleton.)”
LancasterRainhill · Lancaster, c. 1620
Where the Bretherton Arms Were Recorded
Lancaster
Map of England showing where the Bretherton arms are recorded
The Bretherton arms were recorded in Lancaster, c. 1620.
Lancashire was divided among a great many small landed families, more than most northern counties. Estates were passed down whole rather than split up, so the same names hold the same ground for centuries in the records.
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 Bretherton 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 Lancaster.
Origin & History of the Bretherton Family in England
The surname Bretherton is a locative name, meaning it originated from a specific place rather than an occupation or a personal trait. It is derived from the village of Bretherton in the county of Lancashire, England. The name itself comes from the Old English words "brothor," meaning brother, and "tun," meaning an enclosure or settlement. This suggests that the original village was likely established by a group of brothers or a closely knit family unit during the Anglo-Saxon period. By the early 17th century, members of the family had firmly established themselves in the wider Lancaster region. These early ancestors were often involved in local agriculture and trade, which allowed the family to remain rooted in the Lancashire landscape for generations. As the family grew, they moved into neighboring parishes, helping to spread the name throughout the north of England while maintaining their strong ties to their ancestral county.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bræd-tun
Old English for broad or wide settlement or enclosure.
This name
BrethertonRefers to a person who lived at a broad or wide farmstead or village.
also spelled
Bretharton
Bratherton
Bretherten
Related arms
Dodsonrecorded with Bretherton, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Ekwall, Eilert. The Place-Names of Lancashire. 1922
Mills, A.D. A Dictionary of English Place-Names. 1991
Lancashire Archives. Bishop’s Transcripts of Parish Registers. 1620
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
cross symbolChristian faith and service
lionCourage, strength and royalty
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cross symbolChristian faith and service
lionCourage, strength and royalty
