A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Brisco family of England.
Reg. 0435 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
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. three greyhounds courant in pale sa”
CumberlandCrofton Hall · Cumberland, c. 1620
Where the Brisco Arms Were Recorded
Cumberland
Map of England showing where the Brisco arms are recorded
The Brisco arms were recorded in Cumberland, c. 1620.
Cumberland was rough border country in the north-west, facing Scotland across a disputed line. Its families held land in return for keeping it defended, and men who fought carried shields of their own.
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 Brisco 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 Cumberland.
Origin & History of the Brisco Family in England
The family name Brisco originates from the historic county of Cumberland in Northwest England. The name is derived from the Old Norse words "brekka," meaning a slope or hillside, and "skógr," meaning a wood or forest. This suggests that the earliest members of the family likely lived near a wooded hillside in the rugged landscape of the Lake District. By the year 1620, the Brisco family was well-established in the region, particularly around the area of Crofton Hall. They were part of the local landed gentry, meaning they held significant tracts of land and played an active role in the social and political life of the border country between England and Scotland. Their presence in Cumberland during the early seventeenth century reflects a long history of deep roots in the northern English countryside.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Brisk
Old Norse word for a birch tree or birch wood.
This name
BriscoA habitational name referring to someone who lived near a birch wood.
also spelled
Briscow
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Armstrong, A. M., Mawer, A., Stenton, F. M., and Dickens, B., The Place-Names of Cumberland, 1950
Cumberland Archives, The Brisco of Crofton Papers, D/BR
Nicolson, J. and Burn, R., The History and Antiquities of the Counties of Westmorland and Cumberland, 1777
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
