Map of England showing where the Brett arms are recorded
The Brett arms were recorded in Devon, c. 1568.
Devon was a county of small manors and seafaring families. Its gentry were spread thickly across the countryside, and money made at sea often bought an estate, which in turn brought a coat 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 England in this period.
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period
Elizabeth I of England
1558–1603
Reigning in England when the Brett 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 Devon.
Origin & History of the Brett Family in England
The surname Brett is a descriptive name that originated as a way to identify people of Breton descent who moved to England from the Brittany region of France. Following the Norman Conquest, many individuals from this area settled across the English countryside, and the name eventually became a common way to label these newcomers. By the mid-sixteenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the county of Devon. Records from 1568 confirm that members of the Brett family were active participants in the local community during this era. These early settlers were often involved in agriculture and local trade, helping to shape the social and economic landscape of the West Country. Over time, the family name became deeply rooted in the region, reflecting the long history of migration and integration that defined many English families during the late medieval and early modern periods.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Or, a lion ramp. betw. nine cross crosslets fitchée gu”
KentDenbigh House · Kent, c. 1647
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Map of Wales showing where the Brett arms are recorded
The Brett arms were recorded in Kent, c. 1647.
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 Wales in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in England when the Brett arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Wales
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 Kent.
Origin & History of the Brett Family in Wales
The surname Brett is deeply rooted in the history of the British Isles, with its origins often linked to the medieval period when it served as a descriptive name for people who arrived from Brittany in France. While the family established a notable presence in Kent by 1647, the name also holds a distinct place within the historical landscape of Wales. In the Welsh context, the name was frequently adopted or adapted by families living in border regions or coastal areas where trade and migration brought diverse groups together. As the family moved and settled across different territories, they became integrated into the local social structures, often appearing in land records and parish registers that tracked the movement of families during the seventeenth century. This transition from a regional descriptor to a recognized family name reflects the broader patterns of migration that shaped the population of Wales and the surrounding regions during that era.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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 bend betw. six martlets ar”
Irelandc. 1645
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Map of Ireland showing where the Brett arms are recorded
The Brett 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 England when the Brett 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 Brett Family in Ireland
The history of the Brett family in Ireland is deeply connected to the social and political shifts of the seventeenth century. While the name is of Norman origin, members of the family were firmly established in Dublin by 1645, a time when the city was a center of intense conflict and administrative change. During this period, the Bretts were recognized as part of the landed gentry and merchant classes who navigated the complex land settlements and religious tensions of the era. Their presence in the capital city suggests they were well-integrated into the urban economy and legal systems of the time. As the family grew, they expanded their influence across different counties, often serving in local government roles or managing agricultural estates. By settling in Ireland, the Bretts became part of a long tradition of families who blended their ancestral roots with the evolving identity of the Irish landscape.
Brett Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Brittus
A Latin term referring to a person from Brittany or Britain.
This name
BrettAn ethnic surname historically used to identify someone of Breton or Celtic origin.
also spelled
Bret
Brette
Brit
Related arms
Bréottières (les) - Bretvariant spelling
Bretvariant spelling
des Bretsvariant spelling
Bredwardinerecorded with Brett, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1958
The National Archives, Exchequer: King's Remembrancer: Lay Subsidy Rolls, E 179/97/247 (Devon, 1568)
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
lionCourage, strength and royalty
cross symbolChristian faith and service
lionCourage, strength and royalty
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
