A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Britten family of England.
Reg. 9957 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
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)
“Per pale az. and or, a chev. ar. in chief two roundels, and in base a crescent counterchanged”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Britten Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Britten arms are recorded
The Britten 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 Britten 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 Britten Family in England
The surname Britten is a locative name, which means it originally identified people based on where they lived or where they came from. Historically, the name is linked to those who hailed from Brittany in France or were associated with the ancient Britons. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the Britten family were well-established in the city of York. During this period, York was a major northern hub for trade and administration, suggesting that the family likely played a role in the local economy or civic life of the region. As the name spread throughout England, it evolved in spelling, but its roots remained tied to these early movements of people across the British Isles.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Brittus
A Latin term referring to a person from Britain.
This name
BrittenAn English habitational name denoting someone who originated from Brittany or Britain.
also spelled
Briton
Britton
Brytten
Related arms
Briton, Britain, or Brittonvariant spelling
Brittonvariant spelling
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, English Surnames: Their Sources and Significations, 1875
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.
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
