A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bridgewater family of England.
Reg. 3535 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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. an eagle displ. sa. on a chief az. three fleurs-de-lis or”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Bridgewater Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Bridgewater arms are recorded
The Bridgewater 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 Bridgewater 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 Bridgewater Family in England
The surname Bridgewater is a locative name, meaning it was originally taken from a specific place rather than a trade or a personal characteristic. The name is derived from the town of Bridgwater in Somerset, England, which was historically known as Burgh de Walter. Over several centuries, the spelling evolved as families moved away from their ancestral home and settled in different parts of the country. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the Bridgewater family were established in the historic city of York. During this era, families often moved to major urban centers like York to pursue new opportunities in trade or administration. As these individuals settled into their new communities, their name served as a link to their geographic origins while they built new lives in the north of England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Brycg and Wæter
Old English words for a bridge and a body of water.
This name
BridgewaterA topographic name for someone who lived near a bridge crossing a river or stream.
also spelled
Bridgwater
Brydgewater
Brydgwater
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1958
Ekwall, Eilert, The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Place-Names, 1960
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
