A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bridger family of England.
Reg. 6709 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
crabSteadfast defence that yields no ground
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Ar. a chev. engr. sa. betw. three crabs gu”
SussexWarminghurst · Sussex, c. 1620
Where the Bridger Arms Were Recorded
Sussex
Map of England showing where the Bridger arms are recorded
The Bridger arms were recorded in Sussex, c. 1620.
Sussex had ironworks in its woods and good farmland on its downs. Both made money, and families who made it bought manors, which is what put their names in the heraldic records.
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 Bridger 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 Sussex.
Origin & History of the Bridger Family in England
The surname Bridger is a locative name, meaning it was originally used to identify people who lived near a prominent bridge or worked as bridge keepers. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the county of Sussex, England. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Bridger family were active in this region during a time of significant social and economic change. As the name spread throughout southern England, it became closely associated with the rural landscape and the local parish communities of the Sussex countryside. These early ancestors were likely farmers or tradespeople who helped shape the local economy of their villages. Over time, the family name became a permanent fixture in the history of the area, reflecting the common practice of naming individuals after the physical landmarks that defined their daily lives.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
brycg
Old English term for a structure spanning a river or obstacle.
This name
BridgerAn occupational surname for someone who lived near or worked as a keeper of a bridge.
also spelled
Brydger
Bridgar
Brydgar
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Lower, Mark Antony, Patronymica Britannica: A Dictionary of the Family Names of the United Kingdom, 1860
West Sussex Record Office, Parish Registers of Sussex, 1620
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
crabSteadfast defence that yields no ground
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
crabSteadfast defence that yields no ground
