A coat of arms is a heraldic design that is depicted on a shield, surcoat, or tabard to identify a person, family, or organization. The coat of arms became popular in Europe in the 12th century during the period of the Crusades as a way to distinguish knights on the battlefield. Each coat of arms has a unique design and colors that symbolize the bearer’s history, values, and achievements. For many old families, coats of arms have been passed down through generations and continue to be used today as a proud sign of lineage.
The name Brown is an old English surname that originated as a nickname to describe someone with brown hair, complexion, or clothing. As an established family name dating back many centuries in England, the Browns have long made use of a coat of arms to represent their noble status. While there have been some variations in design over the years, the standard Brown coat of arms has maintained the same common elements that make it distinctly identifiable with the Brown family and their history.
Origins of the Brown Coat of Arms
The Brown family traces its ancestry back to Anglo-Saxon England, where the name originally referred to someone with brown hair or complexion. The Browns rose to prominence as landed gentry, establishing themselves as part of the medieval English nobility. As was tradition for noble houses, the Brown family began using armorial bearings (a formal coat of arms) by the 13th century to identify themselves and display their status.
The earliest recorded Brown coat of arms emerged at the start of the Age of Heraldry in Europe. Heraldry experts attribute the original Brown arms to the lord of Yorkshire manor Browne de Brayn during the reign of King Edward I (1272-1307). This version of the Brown coat of arms featured a simple shield design with a golden lion rampant on a red background. The lion symbolized bravery, strength, and nobility, representing the Brown family’s elevated position in medieval society.
Over subsequent centuries, the Brown armorial bearings evolved as branches of the family established themselves around England and achieved prominence. Notable variations in the 14th and 15th centuries showed the lion design alternating between gold and red or enlarged to fill more of the shield. Other early versions displayed the lion holding a sickle to denote the agricultural roots of some Brown estates.
By the 17th century, the design had largely coalesced into the standard form known today – a red shield with a golden lion passant (walking with one paw raised) and three brown wolf heads arranged across the top third of the shield. The multiple wolf heads identified the name origin as someone with brown coloring. This classic coat of arms design continues to represent the Brown family in modern times.
Heraldic Symbolism in the Brown Coat of Arms
As with any coat of arms, the heraldic symbols in the Brown armorial bearings carry important meaning regarding the family’s values, history, and reputation. The prominent motifs in the standard Brown coat of arms symbolize the following:
Shield Background Color – Red: Symbolizes military strength, magnanimity, and valor in battle. This reflects the martial prowess and courage of the Browns as knights in medieval England.
Golden Lion: Represents courage, nobility, sovereignty, dignity, and ferocity in war. As a recurring symbol in the Brown arms, the lion illustrates the family’s elite status and fighting spirit. The golden color highlights generosity and elevation.
Lion Passant: The lion positioned with one paw raised while walking denotes nobility, grace, and readiness for action – appropriate for an esteemed family accustomed to war.
Three Brown Wolf Heads: The heads refer to the Brown family name origin as someone with brown coloring. Their resolute appearance shows wisdom, independence, and perseverance – virtues of the Browns.
Shield Shape: The classic triangular heater shield shape indicates an elite family of wealth and status dating back many generations in English nobility.
Together, these symbols reflect themes of courage, nobility, strength in battle, wisdom, perseverance, and generosity that the Brown family embodied and wished to convey through their coat of arms design. For the Browns, these armorial bearings served as a badge of honor and source of inspiration.
Classic Elements of the Brown Coat of Arms
The standard Brown coat of arms contains these classic heraldic elements:
Shield: The essential focal point featuring the red background with the golden lion passant surrounded by three brown wolf heads positioned along the top.
Helm: Located above the shield, the helm represents noble rank and distinction, in this case with elaborate decorative mantling (stylistic cloak-like flourishes) befitting a family of baronial status.
Crest: Atop the helm is a red cap of maintenance embroidered with a white crescent, indicating an honor bestowed by the monarch. The crescent decoration relates to the use of the name Brown connected to service in the military or state.
Motto: Under the shield banderole (ribbon containing the motto) reads “FLOREAT MAJESTAS” – Latin for “Let Majesty Flourish.” This motto traditionally expressed the Brown family’s loyalty to the Crown.
Supporters: Standing on scrollwork bases flanking the shield are two golden lions, echoing the lion on the shield and providing further symbolism of strength, courage, and nobility.
Compartment: The ground where the supporters stand is grassy partitioned with a wavy strip, alluding to boundaries of family estates and lands.
Together, these intricate heraldic elements formed a distinctive, immediately recognizable coat of arms belonging to the Browns as an eminent family. Even as branches proliferated, most retain these core armorial bearings in some form to preserve their noble heritage.
Notable Branches of the Brown Family
As the Brown family expanded over generations, different branches emerged across Britain and gained prominence in various fields. Some of the most notable include:
Browns of Yorkshire: The ancestral Browns holding estates in Yorkshire since medieval times. Granted baronets in the 17th century, they bore the classic Brown arms.
Browns of Wales: An early offshoot established in Wales, advanced under King Edward I, and used a coat of arms with a red lion on ermine background.
Browns of London: Wealthy Browns who became powerful merchants in London, using arms similar to the ancestral version but with gold wolf heads.
Browns of Norfolk: Gentry Browns using arms with a red lion and two brown wolf heads under a black chief bearing three golden wheatsheaves.
Browns of Northumberland: Granted arms in the 18th century featuring the red lion and three brown wolf heads with a black fess charged with three golden cushions between.
Browns of Scotland: Notable Scots Browns such as the Earls of Montrose bore the standard arms with red lion and brown wolf heads.
Despite spreading across Britain, most branches of the Browns incorporated the classic red lion and brown wolf heads into their arms, maintaining a connection to the ancestral coat of arms design.
Modern Usage of the Brown Coat of Arms
While no longer an official marker of nobility, the Brown coat of arms continues to be used today by modern Brown families to celebrate their heritage. Authentic coats of arms remain popular:
- As decor in homes, on jewelry, clothing, glassware, and other displays of family pride
- In heraldry artwork and collections
- As part of personalized stationery, invitations, announcements, family history records, websites, etc.
- Incorporate into logo and branding for Brown family businesses
- Displayed at Brown family gatherings, reunions, weddings, and other events
- As a seal on documents, packaging, products to denote quality and authority
Both individuals with the Brown surname and collective Brown organizations employ the coat of arms to honor their lineage. Its iconic design immediately conveys a sense of heritage. While meanings have expanded beyond medieval nobility, the Brown arms still represent courage, strength, wisdom, and perseverance – ideals the family strives to uphold. For this reason, the venerable Brown coat of arms remains integral to family identity.
Breakdown of the Brown Coat of Arms
The complete Brown coat of arms contains a complex array of symbolic elements that together form a unique heraldic design signifying the family. The breakdown of parts is as follows:
| Element | Description | Symbolism |
|---|---|---|
| Shield | Red background with golden lion passant surrounded by three brown wolf heads across top | Courage, strength, wisdom, perseverance |
| Helm | Gold helm with red and white mantling | Noble rank and honor |
| Crest | Red cap of maintenance embroidered with white crescent | Royally bestowed honor, military/state service |
| Motto | “FLOREAT MAJESTAS” on gold ribbon | Let Majesty Flourish, loyalty |
| Supporters | Two golden lions flanking shield | Courage, strength, nobility |
| Compartment | Grassy ground with wavy strip below | Family lands, estates, boundaries |
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Brown coat of arms is a recognizable heraldic symbol tied deeply to the family’s centuries-long noble history dating back to medieval England. It evolved over generations but retained core elements like the red shield with golden lion and three brown wolf heads signifying courage, strength, wisdom, and perseverance. Branches of the far-reaching Brown family adapted the arms, but the classic design remains an emblem of lineage. Today, Brown descendants embrace their heritage by continuing to employ the coat of arms to represent family identity, character, and pedigree. Its prominent display celebrates the Browns’ storied past and bright future. Though no longer denoting official nobility, the Brown arms still evoke admiration for a family of distinction.