A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Brewin family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 1737 · Irish, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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. engr. sa. betw. three trefoils slipped vert”
Irelandc. 1645
Where the Brewin Arms Were Recorded
Dublin
Map of Ireland showing where the Brewin arms are recorded
The Brewin 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 Ireland when the Brewin 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 Brewin Family in Ireland
The family name Brewin has a distinct history in Ireland that traces back to the mid-seventeenth century. Records confirm that members of the family were established in Dublin by 1645, a time when the city was undergoing significant social and political upheaval. The name is believed to be an anglicized version of older Gaelic or Norse-influenced surnames that were common in coastal trading hubs. As the Brewin family settled into the urban environment of Dublin, they likely integrated into the merchant and artisan classes that defined the city’s economy during the seventeenth century. Their presence in the capital suggests they were part of the growing population of families who navigated the complex shifts in Irish land ownership and trade regulations during this era. By establishing themselves in Dublin, the early Brewins became part of the long-term demographic fabric of the city, contributing to the diverse cultural identity of the region as it transitioned into the modern age.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Quarterly, or and az., a cross moline, in chief two mullets, pierced, all counterchanged”
LeicesterLoughborough · Leicester, c. 1620
Where the Brewin Arms Were Recorded
Leicester
Map of England showing where the Brewin arms are recorded
The Brewin arms were recorded in Leicester, c. 1620.
Leicestershire was grazing country, and wool and cattle made steady money rather than spectacular fortunes. Steady money bought manors, and manors are what brought families into the registers.
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 Ireland when the Brewin 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 Leicester.
Origin & History of the Brewin Family in England
The family name Brewin traces its roots back to the English Midlands, where it became firmly established in the city of Leicester by the early seventeenth century. Linguists often classify the name as an occupational surname, suggesting that early ancestors may have been involved in the trade of brewing ale or beer, which was a vital industry in medieval and early modern towns. By 1620, records confirm that members of the Brewin family were active participants in the social and economic life of Leicester. During this era, families with this name were typically settled as tradespeople or local landowners who helped shape the growing urban landscape of the region. Their presence in the city during this period reflects the broader movement of families who built their livelihoods within the stable, guild-driven economies of English market towns.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bruin
Derived from the Old French word for brown or dark colored.
This name
BrewinA descriptive nickname for an individual with a dark complexion or brown hair.
also spelled
Brewen
Bruin
Bruwin
Related arms
Bruinvariant spelling
Altrecorded with Brewin, same area
Hastingsrecorded with Brewin, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
MacLysaght, Edward, The Surnames of Ireland, 1985
National Archives of Ireland, Civil Survey of the County of Dublin, 1654–1656
Royal Irish Academy, A New History of Ireland, Volume III: Early Modern Ireland 1534–1691, 1976
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
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
cross symbolChristian faith and service
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
