Map of England showing where the Brigden arms are recorded
The Brigden 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 Brigden 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 Brigden Family in England
The surname Brigden is a locative name, which means it was originally used to describe people who lived near a specific bridge or a valley. In Old English, the term suggests a connection to a bridge situated in a hollow or a low-lying area. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the Brigden family were well-established in the city of York. During this period, York was a major center for trade and religious life in Northern England. Families living there often worked as skilled craftsmen or merchants who helped support the local economy. Because the name is tied to the physical landscape of the English countryside, it likely emerged in several different regions independently before these families settled in urban hubs like York. This history reflects the way many English surnames were formed by simply noting where a person lived in relation to a local landmark.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Brycg-denu
Old English for bridge and valley.
This name
BrigdenA habitational name referring to someone who lived in a valley near a bridge.
also spelled
Brogdon
Broggdon
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
York City Archives, York City Chamberlains' Accounts, 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
fretPersuasion, and the net that holds
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
fretPersuasion, and the net that holds
