Coat of Arms & Family Crests Store
Bramston Coat of Arms / Bramston Family CrestThis surname was a locational name 'of Branston' a parish in the diocese of Lincoln, and parishes in Lichfield, and Peterborough. Local names usually denoted where a man held his land, and indicated where he actually lived. The name was originally derived from the Old English word BRANTSTUN, and literally meant the dweller where Broom grew. Following the Crusades in Europe in the 11th 12th and 13th centuries, a need was felt for an additional name. This was recognized by those of gentler blood, who realised that it added prestige and practical advantage to their status. Early records of the name mention Gilbert de Branteston, who was documented in the year 1200 in County Suffolk, and Haim de Branzton appears in London in 1202. Richard de Brandeston was recorded in 1273 in County Norfolk. Richard Bramston of County Somerset was mentioned during the reign of Edward III (1327-1377). Hugh de Braneston of Yorkshire, was listed in the Yorkshire Poll Tax of 1379. During the Middle Ages, when people were unable to read or write, signs were needed for all visual identification. For several centuries city streets in Britain were filled with signs of all kinds, public houses, tradesmen and even private householders found them necessary. This was an age when there were no numbered houses, and an address was a descriptive phrase that made use of a convenient landmark. At this time, coats of arms came into being, for the practical reason that men went into battle heavily armed and were difficult to recognise. It became the custom for them to adorn their helmets with distinctive crests, and to paint their shields with animals and the like. Coats of arms accompanied the development of surnames, becoming hereditary in the same way. Later instances of the name include John Branstone and Christian May who were married at St. George's Chapel, Mayfair in 1731. Henry Branston and Harriet Minto were married at St. George's, Hanover Square, London in the year 1800.Arms registered in Derbyshire. |
