A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bristow family of England.
Reg. 3595 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
falconOne eager and quick in pursuit
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Gu. three falcons ar.; also quarterly or and az., in the first and fourth a rose gu., in the second and third a fleur-de-lis of the first”
SurreySurrey, c. 1620
Where the Bristow Arms Were Recorded
Surrey
Map of England showing where the Bristow arms are recorded
The Bristow arms were recorded in Surrey, c. 1620.
Surrey sat just south of London and filled up with families who had made money in the City. Buying an estate there was the usual next step, and an estate was the usual reason to take 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 Bristow 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 Surrey.
Origin & History of the Bristow Family in England
The surname Bristow is a locative name, which means it was originally used to identify people based on the place where they lived. It is derived from the Old English words for a bridge and a stow, which refers to a place or a settlement. This suggests that the earliest members of the family likely resided near a prominent bridge or a specific crossing point. While the name has roots in various parts of England, historical records confirm that the family was well-established in the county of Surrey by the year 1620. During this period, families in Surrey were often involved in local agriculture or trade, and they played a quiet but steady role in the development of their rural parishes. Over the centuries, the name spread from these early settlements as family members moved to find new opportunities, yet the connection to the landscape of southern England remains a defining part of their history.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Brycgstow
Old English for bridge place or a site with a bridge.
This name
BristowA habitational name for someone who lived near a bridge or a bridge-town.
also spelled
Brystow
Bristoe
Related arms
Bickerdykerecorded with Bristow, same area
Cranerecorded with Bristow, same area
Edmondsrecorded with Bristow, same area
Helpsrecorded with Bristow, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1958
Surrey History Centre, Parish registers for the county of Surrey, 1620
Lower, Mark Antony, Patronymica Britannica: A Dictionary of the Family Names of the United Kingdom, 1860
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
falconOne eager and quick in pursuit
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
falconOne eager and quick in pursuit
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
