A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Brierly family of England.
Reg. 7409 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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 cross potent gu”
ChesterMopley Hall · Chester, c. 1620
Where the Brierly Arms Were Recorded
Chester
Map of England showing where the Brierly arms are recorded
The Brierly arms were recorded in Chester, c. 1620.
Cheshire was governed apart from the rest of England for much of its history, with its own courts and its own gentry. That separateness bred a strong local landed class, and landed families 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 Brierly 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 Chester.
Origin & History of the Brierly Family in England
The family name Brierly is a locational surname that originated in England, specifically derived from the Old English words for a clearing where briars or wild rose bushes grew. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the historic city of Chester. Records confirm that members of the Brierly family were living in this region by 1620, a time when Chester served as a vital hub for trade and regional administration. During this period, families with this name were often involved in the local merchant classes or skilled trades that supported the city’s economy. As the family grew, they became integrated into the social fabric of Cheshire, leaving behind traces in parish registers and local legal documents that track their movement and influence through the centuries.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Brer
Old English term for a briar or thorny shrub.
This name
BrierlyDerived from a meadow or clearing located near a patch of briars.
also spelled
Brierley
Bryerly
Bryerley
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
Cheshire Archives and Local Studies, Bishop's Transcripts of Chester Parish Registers, 1620
Reaney, Percy Hide, A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
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cross symbolChristian faith and service
cross symbolChristian faith and service
