A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Brettell family of England.
Reg. 1001 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
vairProtection, and the winter fur
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
VairMeans: Protection
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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 chev. vair betw. three eagles displ. or”
EnglandDudley, c. 1620
Where the Brettell Arms Were Recorded
Dudley
Map of England showing where the Brettell arms are recorded
The Brettell arms were recorded in Dudley, 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 England when the Brettell 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 England.
Origin & History of the Brettell Family in England
The family name Brettell is deeply rooted in the industrial landscape of the West Midlands, particularly within the town of Dudley. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the Brettell family were already established residents in this area. The name is thought to be a variation of the Old French word "bretel," which historically referred to a small bridge or a defensive structure. As the family grew in Dudley, they became closely connected to the local iron and coal industries that defined the region during the seventeenth century. Their presence in the town suggests they were part of the hardworking community that helped shape the early development of the Black Country. Over time, the family name became synonymous with the local history of Dudley as they transitioned from small-scale tradespeople to figures involved in the expanding manufacturing sector of England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Breton
A person originating from the region of Brittany in France.
This name
BrettellA diminutive or occupational descriptor for someone associated with the people of Brittany.
also spelled
Britell
Bryttell
Related arms
Clerkerecorded with Brettell, same area
Dixonrecorded with Brettell, same area
Hodgettsrecorded with Brettell, same area
Sidneyrecorded with Brettell, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Chandler, George and Hannah, Ian C., Dudley as it was and is, 1949
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
