A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Briwere family of England.
Reg. 0011 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Gu. two bends wavy or”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Briwere Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Briwere arms are recorded
The Briwere 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 Briwere 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 Briwere Family in England
The name Briwere, which is also frequently spelled as Briwer or Brewer, carries deep roots that stretch back to the medieval period in England. The name likely originated as an occupational surname, referring to someone who worked as a brewer of ale or beer. By the early 17th century, members of the family had established a notable presence in the historic city of York. Records from 1620 confirm that individuals bearing this name were active participants in the social and economic life of the region during a time of significant transition in English history. These early settlers helped shape the local community, and their presence in York suggests that the family was well-integrated into the urban fabric of northern England long before the great migrations of the following centuries.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bruyère
Old French term for heather or heathland.
This name
BriwereA locational surname for someone who lived near a heath or area of heather.
also spelled
Bruere
Brewer
Related arms
Brewervariant spelling
Bruerevariant 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
York City Archives, York City Chamberlains’ Accounts, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
