A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bringham family of England.
Reg. 0837 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
pileWell-doing, and a mark of distinction
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Ar. a pile sa. over all a chev. counterchanged”
DevonshireDevonshire, c. 1620
Where the Bringham Arms Were Recorded
Devonshire
Map of England showing where the Bringham arms are recorded
The Bringham arms were recorded in Devonshire, c. 1620.
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 Bringham 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 Devonshire.
Origin & History of the Bringham Family in England
The surname Bringham is rooted in the landscape of medieval England, where it likely originated as a locational name derived from a specific settlement or homestead. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the county of Devonshire. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Bringham family were living in this region, which was a hub of maritime activity and agricultural development at the time. Families in Devonshire during this period often relied on the local wool trade or farming to sustain their livelihoods. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of the West Country, contributing to the local community life that defined rural England before the era of mass migration. The name itself reflects the linguistic patterns of the region, serving as a lasting link to the ancestors who navigated the challenges of life in the early modern period.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Brycg-ham
Old English words for bridge and homestead or settlement.
This name
BringhamRefers to a person who lived at a homestead located near a bridge.
also spelled
Bryngham
Brigham
Brynghame
Related arms
Brighamvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Hoskins, W. G., Devon, 1954
Reaney, P. H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
The National Archives, Kew, Prerogative Court of Canterbury and related Probate Jurisdictions: Will 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.
pileWell-doing, and a mark of distinction
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
pileWell-doing, and a mark of distinction
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
