A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Britain family of England.
Reg. 9121 · 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
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Az. two chev. or, in chief as many martlets ar”
EnglandLondon, c. 1294
Where the Britain Arms Were Recorded
London
Map of England showing where the Britain arms are recorded
The Britain arms were recorded in London, c. 1294.
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.
Edward I of England
Sovereign of the period
Edward I of England
1272–1307
Reigning in England when the Britain 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 Britain Family in England
The surname Britain emerged as a descriptive identifier during the Middle Ages, likely used to distinguish individuals who had migrated to a new area or who held a specific connection to the region of Brittany or the broader British Isles. By the late thirteenth century, the name was firmly established in the urban landscape of London, as evidenced by records of family members living there in 1294. During this period, London was a bustling center of trade and migration, and families often adopted surnames based on their place of origin or their perceived ethnic identity. Those bearing the name Britain were part of a growing class of citizens who navigated the legal and social structures of a rapidly developing capital city. Over time, the name evolved through various spellings in official documents as scribes recorded it phonetically, eventually settling into its modern form as it was passed down through generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Pretani
Ancient Celtic term referring to the painted or tattooed people of Britain.
This name
BritainRefers to a person who originated from the island of Great Britain.
also spelled
Briton
Britayne
Brytayne
Related arms
Britaynevariant spelling
Briton, Britain, or Brittonvariant spelling
Brytaynevariant 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
The National Archives, London Eyre Roll, JUST 1/541, 1294
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
