A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Brownrigg family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 8037 · Britain, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
sceptreRoyal authority and justice
flag / pennantA command held, and a following kept
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'arg. au léopard lionné de sa., tenant une épée d'arg., garnie d'or, accolée d'un serpent de sin., le lion acc. de trois croiss. de gu.: au chef bastillé de sin. ch. du sceptre et de l'étendard du royaume de Kandy, passés en saut. et surm. de la couronne dudit royaume. Deux cq., le 2 timbré d'une couronne murale d'or. C.: 1° un”
Britainc. 1700
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Map of Britain showing where the Brownrigg arms are recorded
The Brownrigg arms were recorded in Britain, c. 1700.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Kent.
Kent sits between London and the short crossing to Europe, and the trade passing through made it wealthy. Merchant families bought land with that money, and it was landowners who took coats of 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 Britain in this period.
William III of England
Sovereign of the period
William III of England
1694–1702
Reigning in Britain when the Brownrigg arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Britain
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 Britain.
Origin & History of the Brownrigg Family in Britain
The surname Brownrigg originates from the northern regions of England, specifically deriving from the Old Norse words "brun" meaning brown and "hryggr" meaning ridge. This descriptive name likely identified early families who lived near a prominent brown-colored hill or ridge in the landscape. While the name is deeply rooted in the geography of the north, members of the family eventually migrated southward, establishing a notable presence in Kent by the early 1700s. This movement reflects the broader patterns of internal migration during the eighteenth century as families sought new opportunities in the agricultural and developing commercial hubs of southern England. By settling in Kent, the Brownrigg family integrated into the local parish records and social structures of the region, marking a transition from their northern origins to a permanent place in the history of the south.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Ar. a lion ramp. guard. sa. between three crescents gu”
Englandc. 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of England showing where the Brownrigg arms are recorded
The Brownrigg 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 Britain when the Brownrigg 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 Brownrigg Family in England
The surname Brownrigg is a topographical name that originated in the northern regions of England. It is derived from the Old Norse words "brun," meaning brown, and "hryggr," meaning a ridge or a long hill. This suggests that the earliest members of the family likely lived near a prominent brown-colored ridge or hillside. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the city of York. Records from 1620 confirm that individuals bearing this name were integrated into the local community during a time when York served as a vital center for trade and administration in Northern England. Over time, the family name spread from these rural northern landscapes into the urban centers of the region, reflecting the migration patterns of families who moved from the countryside to growing English towns to pursue new opportunities.
Brownrigg Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Brun-hryggr
Old Norse for brown ridge or brown back.
This name
BrownriggRefers to a person who lived on or near a brown-colored ridge or hill.
also spelled
Brownrig
Brounrigg
Brownrygg
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Hanks, Patrick and Hodges, Flavia, A Dictionary of Surnames, 1988
The National Archives, Parish registers for the county of Kent, series PRO 4
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
sceptreRoyal authority and justice
flag / pennantA command held, and a following kept
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
sceptreRoyal authority and justice
flag / pennantA command held, and a following kept
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
