A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bridgman family of England.
Reg. 2328 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
ermineDignity and rank
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Counter-ermine (Ermines)Means: Dignity
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)
“Sa. ten plates, four three, two, and one, on a chief ar. a lion pass. ermines”
WarwickCastle Bromwich · Warwick, c. 1620
Where the Bridgman Arms Were Recorded
Warwick
Map of England showing where the Bridgman arms are recorded
The Bridgman arms were recorded in Warwick, c. 1620.
Warwickshire lay in the middle of England, and its landed families were spread evenly across it rather than gathered in one corner. A great many held a single manor each, and each of those holdings brought its own claim to 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 Bridgman 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 Warwick.
Origin & History of the Bridgman Family in England
The surname Bridgman is an occupational name that originated in medieval England to describe a person who lived near or worked as a keeper of a bridge. During the early seventeenth century, the family established a notable presence in the town of Warwick. Records confirm that members of the Bridgman family were living in this area by 1620, a time when the town was a significant center for trade and local government. Because bridges were vital pieces of infrastructure for travel and commerce in the pre-industrial era, those tasked with their maintenance often held respected positions within their local communities. Over time, the name evolved from a simple description of a person’s job into a permanent family identifier that was passed down through generations of residents in the English Midlands.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
brycg and mann
Old English words for bridge and person or servant.
This name
BridgmanA person who lived near a bridge or worked as a bridge keeper.
also spelled
Bridgeman
Bridgmon
Related arms
Bridgemansimilar arms
Bridghamvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Reaney, Percy Hide, A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Warwickshire County Record Office, Quarter Sessions Records, 1620
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
ermineDignity and rank
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
lionCourage, strength and royalty
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
ermineDignity and rank
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
lionCourage, strength and royalty
