A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bricken family of England.
Reg. 4108 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Ar. three hills az”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Bricken Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Bricken arms are recorded
The Bricken arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried 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.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Bricken 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 Bricken Family in England
The Bricken family name carries a history deeply rooted in the northern English landscape, with documented evidence placing members of the family in the city of York as early as 1620. During this period, York was a bustling center of trade and religious activity, and families like the Brickens were often integrated into the local merchant or artisan classes that kept the city running. The name itself likely evolved from Old English or Middle English descriptors related to a person’s occupation or the specific location of their homestead. As the family established themselves in the region, they became part of the social fabric of Yorkshire, navigating the significant political and economic shifts that defined seventeenth-century England. By settling in such a prominent historical hub, the early Brickens were positioned to participate in the growth of local industries and the evolving civic life of the city.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bric
Old English or Germanic element meaning bridge or dweller by a bridge.
This name
BrickenA locational surname referring to someone who lived near a bridge or a specific bridge-related settlement.
also spelled
Brycken
Brickin
Bryckin
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Baines, Edward, History, Directory and Gazetteer of the County of York, 1822
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
Palliser, D.M., Tudor York, 1979
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
