A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Brise family of England.
Reg. 8989 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
bordureA difference between branches of one family
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Sa. a chev. betw. three escallops ar. a bordure engr. or”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Brise Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Brise arms are recorded
The Brise 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 Brise 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 Brise Family in England
The surname Brise is rooted in the linguistic landscape of medieval England, where it likely originated as a descriptive nickname. Etymologists often link the name to the Old French word "brise," which suggests a person of energetic or forceful character. By the early seventeenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the historic city of York. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Brise family were active participants in the social and economic life of this northern hub during the reign of King James I. Living in a city defined by its Roman foundations and medieval walls, these early ancestors were part of a growing urban middle class that helped shape the local trade and civic culture of Yorkshire. Their presence in such a significant administrative center indicates that the family was well-integrated into the fabric of English society long before the era of mass migration.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Briz
Old French term referring to a breach or a broken gap.
This name
BriseA topographic name for someone who lived near a breach in a wall or fortification.
also spelled
Bryse
Briz
Breez
Breeze
Breese
Related arms
Bricevariant spelling
Brysevariant spelling
Kemperecorded with Brise, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
The National Archives, York City Archives: House Books and Civic 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
bordureA difference between branches of one family
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
bordureA difference between branches of one family
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
