A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bridgham family of England.
Reg. 8064 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
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. a saltire engr. az”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Bridgham Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Bridgham arms are recorded
The Bridgham 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 Bridgham 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 Bridgham Family in England
The Bridgham family name is rooted in the landscape of England, with its origins likely tied to a specific location or geographic feature. The name is locational in nature, which means it was originally used to identify people who lived near a bridge or a specific crossing point. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the family were established in the city of York. During this period, the family was part of the growing movement of English citizens who were beginning to look toward the American colonies for new opportunities. This early presence in York suggests that the family was well-integrated into the social and economic life of a major northern English hub before many members eventually migrated to New England to help build the early settlements of the Massachusetts Bay Colony.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Brycg-ham
Old English words for bridge and homestead or enclosed settlement.
This name
BridghamRefers to a person who lived at a homestead located near a bridge.
also spelled
Bridgeman
Bridgman
Related arms
Bridgemanvariant spelling
Bridgmanvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Banks, Charles Edward, The Planters of the Commonwealth, 1930
Savage, James, A Genealogical Dictionary of the First Settlers of New England, 1860
The National Archives, UK, Probate Records of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, 1600–1650
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
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
