A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Brighouse family of England.
Reg. 2833 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Az. on a fesse betw. three lions ramp. or, as many crescents of the field, in chief a trefoil slipped ar. for diff”
NottinghamBilby · Nottingham, c. 1620
Where the Brighouse Arms Were Recorded
Nottingham
Map of England showing where the Brighouse arms are recorded
The Brighouse arms were recorded in Nottingham, c. 1620.
Nottinghamshire had coal under it and forest across it, and both were worth money. Families who profited bought manors, and a manor was the ordinary reason for a family to take a coat of 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 Brighouse 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 Nottingham.
Origin & History of the Brighouse Family in England
The family name Brighouse is a locational surname, which means it originated from people who lived near a specific landmark or settlement. The name is derived from the Old English words "brycg," meaning bridge, and "hus," meaning house, suggesting that the earliest ancestors lived in a dwelling situated near a bridge. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the Brighouse family were well-established in Nottingham. During this period, families often moved to growing market towns to pursue trades or participate in the local economy. As the family settled in Nottingham, they became part of the social fabric of the region, contributing to the local community as the name was passed down through generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Brycg-hus
Old English words for bridge and house.
This name
BrighouseA habitational name referring to a dwelling located near a bridge.
also spelled
Brighowse
Related arms
Bridghousevariant 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, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Nottinghamshire Archives, Nottingham St Mary's Parish Registers, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
