A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Brinton family of England.
Reg. 0598 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
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 chev. betw. three martlets sa”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Brinton Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Brinton arms are recorded
The Brinton 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 Brinton 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 Brinton Family in England
The family name Brinton is rooted in the landscape of medieval England, likely originating as a locational surname for people who lived near a specific settlement or geographic feature. While the name appears in various regions, historical records confirm that members of the Brinton family were well-established in the city of York by 1620. During this period, York was a bustling center of trade and religious life, and families living there often participated in the city’s vibrant guild system or local governance. As the seventeenth century progressed, some members of the family sought new opportunities across the Atlantic, carrying their name from the historic streets of Northern England to the developing colonies in North America. This transition marked a significant shift in the family history, as they moved from the ancient surroundings of York to help build new communities in a changing world.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bryne-tun
Old English for a settlement located near a hill or mound.
This name
BrintonDerived from a topographic location referring to a farmstead or village situated by a hill.
also spelled
Brynton
Related arms
Bryntonvariant 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., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
