EXCLUSIVE

Rapper Burberry Perry straight up jacked an iconic name and logo to grow his fan base on the back of a centuries-old brand ... so claims that company in a new lawsuit.

According to legal docs obtained by TMZ ... Burberry -- the famous British luxury line -- wants the rapper to ditch the name and logo he intentionally stole to market himself on social media.

The company says Burberry Perry lifted a name that goes all the way back to 1856 in the UK. Plus ... they claim he deliberately stole the brand's globally recognized plaid print and equestrian knight logo Perry uses on his album cover.

What's more ... Perry also made the drastic step to mimic Burberry's font ... and now the company fears customers will think it sponsored or is somehow connected to Perry.

Burberry sent Perry cease and desist letters to get him to stop using the name and logos. He ignored it.