A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Brewis family of Ireland.
Reg. 6996 · Irish, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
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 saltire ar. a chief indented point in point of the first and second”
Irelandc. 1645
Where the Brewis Arms Were Recorded
Dublin
Map of Ireland showing where the Brewis arms are recorded
The Brewis 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 Brewis 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 Brewis Family in Ireland
The family name Brewis is primarily rooted in the northern regions of England and the Scottish Borders, where it likely originated as a descriptive name for a person who brewed ale or worked as a brewer. By the middle of the seventeenth century, the family had established a notable presence in Ireland, with records confirming members of the Brewis family were living in Dublin by 1645. During this era, Dublin was a bustling center of trade and political transition, and families moving from Britain to Ireland often sought new opportunities in the city's growing administrative and merchant classes. While the name remained tied to its occupational origins, the migration of the Brewis family to Dublin reflects the broader movement of people across the Irish Sea during the turbulent mid-1600s. This relocation helped integrate the family into the social fabric of the city, where they remained active participants in local life for generations to come.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Brouwer
A person who brews ale or beer.
This name
BrewisAn occupational surname for a brewer, originating from Middle Dutch and Middle English.
also spelled
Brewes
Brewas
Bruis
Brewys
Related arms
Brewyssame arms
Brewas, or Brewasevariant spelling
Brewesvariant spelling
Brews, or Brewisvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Black, George Fraser. The Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning, and History, 1946
National Archives of Ireland. Civil Survey of the County of Dublin, 1654–1656
Reaney, Percy Hide. 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.
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
