Map of England showing where the Brunsdon arms are recorded
The Brunsdon 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 Brunsdon 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 Brunsdon Family in England
The surname Brunsdon is a locative name, which means it likely originated from a specific place or geographical feature where the earliest family members lived. By the year 1620, historical records confirm that the family was well-established in the city of York. During this period, York was a bustling center of trade and religious life in Northern England, and families like the Brunsdons often played active roles in the local community as craftsmen, merchants, or landowners. The name itself is thought to be derived from Old English roots, potentially referring to a "brown hill" or a valley associated with a person named Brun. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of Yorkshire, contributing to the local economy and the evolving history of the region during the early seventeenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Brunesdune
A hill belonging to a person named Brun.
This name
BrunsdonDerived from a topographic location referring to a brown-colored hill or a hill owned by Brun.
also spelled
Brinsden
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
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.
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