Map of England showing where the Bryant arms are recorded
The Bryant 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 Bryant 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 Bryant Family in England
The surname Bryant is rooted in the ancient Celtic and Old French languages, likely evolving from the name Brian, which carries the noble meaning of high or noble. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the historic city of York, England. Records from 1620 suggest that members of the Bryant family were integrated into the local community during a time of significant social and religious change in Northern England. As the family grew, they participated in the typical trades and civic life of the era, helping to shape the local culture of the region. This period marked a transition for many families as they began to document their lives more formally through parish registers and local administrative records, providing a lasting link to their early ancestors in York.
Bryant Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Brian
Derived from the Celtic word for high, noble, or hill.
This name
BryantA patronymic surname meaning son of the noble or high one.
also spelled
Briant
Briante
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
York City Archives, Parish Registers of York, 1620
Cottle, Basil, The Penguin Dictionary of Surnames, 1967
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
cinquefoilHope and joy
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
cross symbolChristian faith and service
cinquefoilHope and joy
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
