Map of England showing where the Bretto arms are recorded
The Bretto 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 Bretto 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 Bretto Family in England
The family name Bretto first appears in the historical record of Devon, England, during the late sixteenth century. By 1568, members of the family were established within this southwestern region, where they likely participated in the local agricultural or trade-based economy common to the area at that time. The name itself is thought to be a variation of names linked to the historical region of Brittany, suggesting that the family’s ancestors may have migrated across the English Channel to settle in the West Country. During the Elizabethan era, Devon was a hub of maritime activity and rural development, providing a stable environment for families to put down roots. As the family grew, they became part of the local social fabric, leaving behind traces in parish registers and tax records that document their presence in the English countryside for generations.
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 Bretto arms are recorded
The Bretto 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 Bretto 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 Bretto Family in Wales
The name Bretto likely traces its linguistic roots to the ancient populations of Britain, specifically relating to the term for the Britons or the people of Brittany. While historical records confirm that members of the family were established in the county of Kent by 1647, the name’s connection to Wales is rooted in the migration patterns of the post-Roman era. During the early medieval period, many families with similar origins moved along the western coastal routes that linked the Celtic regions of Cornwall, Wales, and Brittany. These groups often traveled to find new land or to escape shifting political borders. By the time the family appeared in the official records of Kent in the seventeenth century, they were part of a long tradition of families who had moved across the British Isles over several generations. This movement reflects the broader history of people shifting between the Welsh borders and the southern English counties during times of social and economic change.
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 Bretto arms are recorded
The Bretto 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 Bretto 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 Bretto Family in Ireland
The history of the Bretto name in Ireland is deeply connected to the turbulent atmosphere of seventeenth-century Dublin. Records confirm that members of the family were established in the city by 1645, a time when Ireland was caught in the middle of the devastating Wars of the Three Kingdoms. During this period, Dublin served as a strategic center for trade and political power, drawing in families from across the Irish Sea and beyond. The presence of the Bretto name in the capital suggests that these early ancestors were likely involved in the urban merchant class or the administrative life of the city. As Dublin grew into a bustling port, the family integrated into the local society, navigating the complex social changes that defined the mid-1600s. By settling in such a vital location, the early Brettos became part of the long-standing tradition of families who helped shape the city’s identity during one of its most transformative eras.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Britto
A person originating from the region of Brittany or Britain.
This name
BrettoA locational surname referring to an individual who migrated from Brittany or Britain.
also spelled
Bret
Brette
Brit
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Devon Archives and Local Studies Service, Parish Registers of Devon, 1538–1900
Hoskins, W. G., Devon, 1954
Reaney, P. H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
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
