A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Brindley family of England.
Reg. 0099 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Per pale or and sa. a chev. betw. three escallops counterchanged”
ChesterWistaston · Chester, c. 1620
Where the Brindley Arms Were Recorded
Chester
Map of England showing where the Brindley arms are recorded
The Brindley 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 Brindley 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 Brindley Family in England
The surname Brindley is of locational origin, meaning it was originally taken from a specific place name in England. Etymologists believe the name derives from the Old English words "brind," meaning a burned clearing or a place cleared by fire, and "ley," which refers to a meadow or woodland clearing. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the Brindley family were well-established in the city of Chester. During this period, Chester served as a vital hub for trade and regional administration, suggesting that the family likely held roles as merchants, craftsmen, or local officials. As the family grew, they became deeply woven into the social and economic fabric of the Cheshire region, leaving behind a legacy that reflects the agricultural and urban development of early modern England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bryndley
Old English words for a steep hill and a woodland clearing.
This name
BrindleyDerived from a place name meaning a clearing located on a steep hill.
also spelled
Brindleigh
Brindlie
Related arms
Brendesleysame arms
Lowissame arms
Brescyrecorded with Brindley, same area
Gwinnettrecorded with Brindley, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Ekwall, Eilert, The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Place-names, 1960
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Cheshire Archives and Local Studies, Bishop's Transcripts for the Diocese of Chester, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
