Brantingham family
The Brantingham family is an old English noble and clerical family originating from Brantingham in Yorkshire, with documented political, ecclesiastical, and local influence from the medieval period onward.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
The Brantingham family, also recorded historically as the de Brantinghams or de Brantynghams, was an old family associated with Brantingham in Yorkshire and later with communities across northern and eastern England. It is a historical lineage rather than a commercial brand, corporation, or contemporary consumer-facing organization. The family name appears in medieval administrative, ecclesiastical, legal, and landholding records, particularly in the fourteenth century. The family reached a period of notable public influence during the reign of Edward III. Ralph de Brantingham served as the king's chamberlain from 1349, while Thomas de Brantingham became Lord Treasurer between 1369 and 1371 and later served as Bishop of Exeter until his death in 1394. These appointments placed members of the family within the central institutions of the English Crown and the senior clergy. Other relatives held local offices, managed estates, served religious institutions, or established relationships with prominent northern families such as the Nevilles, Lambtons, and related gentry networks. The family's heraldic history is partly uncertain. Two seals attached to a 1369 land grant may preserve an early Brantingham emblem, but their indistinct legends prevent secure attribution. Thomas de Brantingham is associated with arms described as a black field bearing a crenellated gold fess between three gold Catherine wheels. This later heraldic evidence is clearer than the earlier seals, although it should not be treated as proof that every surviving emblem belonged to the same branch. Brantingham records also illustrate the varied fortunes of medieval and early modern families. Several members were involved in legal disputes or institutional controversies, including allegations concerning property transfers, the misuse of hospital assets, ecclesiastical rights, debt, and burglary. These episodes do not describe a modern corporate scandal program; they are historical incidents recorded in legal, testamentary, and administrative sources. By the sixteenth century, at least one branch appears to have experienced a marked decline in wealth and status. Records refer to family members working as servants, tradespeople, or in skilled manual occupations, while inventories and wills suggest limited resources and outstanding debts. At the same time, other Brantinghams continued to appear in religious and local records. The family's history therefore reflects both medieval advancement into high office and later fragmentation into branches with differing social and economic circumstances. The name remains associated with a range of historical figures, including John de Brantingham, Ralph de Brantingham, Thomas de Brantingham, Sir William de Brantingham, Simon de Brantingham, Robert de Brantingham, William Brantingham of the Durham priory administration, and Richard Brantingham of Seaton. The available reference material does not establish a single continuous modern institution, commercial enterprise, or current family organization.
History
The Brantingham family took its name from Brantingham in Yorkshire and is documented under several medieval forms, including de Brantingham and de Brantyngham. The surviving record does not present the family as a single centralized institution. Instead, it reveals a network of branches whose members entered royal administration, the church, local government, estate management, and trades. The family's strongest period of documented influence came in the fourteenth century. Ralph de Brantingham became chamberlain to Edward III from 1349, placing him within the king's household administration. Thomas de Brantingham achieved still higher office: he was Lord Treasurer from 1369 to 1371 and Bishop of Exeter from 1370 until his death in 1394. Earlier, John de Brantingham received papal authorization in 1318 to hold several ecclesiastical positions, including the rectory of Huggate, the rectory of Askeby, and a prebend associated with Derby Cathedral. He was later recorded as vicar of Otley. The family's relationships extended into the northern gentry. Ralph received property in Penrith from Ralph de Neville, and marriage and testamentary records connect later Brantinghams with families and individuals associated with the North East. These links indicate participation in regional networks of patronage, property, clerical service, and marriage rather than evidence of a unified family estate. Heraldic evidence is incomplete. A 1369 grant of land involving Nicholas de Brantingham and Richard Bonefaunt has two red-wax seals. One displays five burs and the other a bird, but neither has a sufficiently clear legend to establish that it belonged to Nicholas. Thomas de Brantingham is associated with a more identifiable coat of arms: a black field, a crenellated gold fess, and three gold Catherine wheels. The family also appears in records of misconduct and litigation. Sir William de Brantingham was accused of manipulating property arrangements following the death of his ward. Simon de Brantingham lost his position as steward of the Hospital of St John the Baptist in Dorchester after allegations that he sold hospital land and removed linens and bedding. Other cases concerned ecclesiastical rights, a debt-related failure to appear before the courts, and a 1594 pardon for Richard Brantingham of St Helen Auckland following a burglary charge. During the sixteenth century, some branches appear to have fallen into poverty. John Brantingham may have worked in or near the tailoring trade, while Margery Brantingham was recorded as a servant with a modest inventory. Evidence of debts among presumed relatives suggests financial decline in that branch. Other family members remained connected to religious institutions, including William Brantingham, described as a priest, and another William who served as seneschal to the prior of Durham. Later records include Robert de Brantingham, commemorated by a brass half-effigy at East Horsley, and Richard Brantingham of Seaton, who was buried at Stranton in 1657 after reportedly reaching the age of 106.
- 1657
Burial of Richard Brantingham of Seaton
[1]Richard Brantingham of Seaton was buried at Stranton; the record states that he had lived to the age of 106.
- 1594
Pardon of Richard Brantingham
[1]Richard Brantingham of St Helen Auckland received a royal pardon after a burglary case.
Papal authorization for John de Brantingham
[1]John de Brantingham received authority connected with several ecclesiastical benefices, including the rectory of Huggate and a prebend of Derby Cathedral.
Ralph de Brantingham enters royal service
[1]Ralph de Brantingham is recorded as chamberlain to Edward III.
Land grant bearing uncertain seals
[1]Nicholas de Brantingham and Richard Bonefaunt granted land in a document carrying two seals whose connection to the Brantingham family cannot be confirmed.
Thomas de Brantingham becomes Lord Treasurer
[1]Thomas de Brantingham served as Lord Treasurer from 1369 to 1371 and became Bishop of Exeter in 1370.
Products and positioning
Historical English noble and clerical lineage; not a commercial brand.
Controversies
1594
Burglary case involving Richard Brantingham
Richard Brantingham of St Helen Auckland was pardoned by Elizabeth I in connection with a burglary case.
Property and hospital administration controversies
Sir William de Brantingham was associated with alleged manipulation of property after the death of his ward, while Simon de Brantingham was removed as steward of a Dorchester hospital after allegations involving the sale of land and removal of institutional goods.
Sources1 sources
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