A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Borak family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 8994 · German, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
bearStrength, cunning and protection of kin
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ec.: aux 1 et 4 d'arg. à un ours de sa., pass. sur un tertre de sin.; aux 2 et 3 d'azur à trois étoiles d'or. Cq. cour. C.: un cerf iss. de gu. L. à dextre d'arg. et d'azur, à sen. d'or et d'azur.”
MecklenburgMecklenburg, c. 1765
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Map of Germany showing where the Borak arms are recorded
The Borak arms were recorded in Mecklenburg, c. 1765.
Mecklenburg was farming country in the north of Germany, held by a small number of families who kept their estates for generations. Owning land was what entitled a family to arms, so a great many Mecklenburg names ended up in the registers.
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 Germany in this period.
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
1745–1765
Reigning in Germany when the Borak arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Germany
In the Holy Roman Empire, coats of arms were often granted to individuals by the Emperor or his representatives. These arms were then passed down through the generations to all legitimate descendants of the original holder. Younger branches of a family usually kept the same shield design without needing to change it, as the arms belonged to the entire lineage.
Granting authority
The Holy Roman Emperor held the sole power to grant new coats of arms throughout his vast imperial territories.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal imperial grant or by proving their noble status to the authorities.
Where arms were recorded
These grants were officially recorded in the Imperial Chancery registers, which began keeping formal records of such honors during the Middle Ages.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Mecklenburg.
Origin & History of the Borak Family in Germany
The family name Borak has deep roots in the northern German region of Mecklenburg, where records confirm the presence of the family as early as 1765. During the eighteenth century, Mecklenburg was a landscape defined by rural agriculture and the strict social structures of the manorial system. Families living in this region often identified themselves through their connection to the land or their specific trade within a village community. The name likely emerged as a way to distinguish individuals in a growing population, reflecting the linguistic influences of the Slavic and Germanic populations that had mingled in the region for centuries. As the family established their lives in Mecklenburg, they became part of the local fabric of village life, contributing to the agricultural development and social history of the area during a time of significant transition in German society.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'or à la croix de gu., acc. au 1 d'un lion de sa. [Comp. Bourke et Burke.]”
Britainc. 1700
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Map of Britain showing where the Borak arms are recorded
The Borak arms were recorded in Britain, c. 1700.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Kent.
Kent sits between London and the short crossing to Europe, and the trade passing through made it wealthy. Merchant families bought land with that money, and it was landowners who took coats of 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 Britain in this period.
William III of England
Sovereign of the period
William III of England
1694–1702
Reigning in Germany when the Borak arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Britain
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 Britain.
Origin & History of the Borak Family in Britain
The history of the Borak family in Britain centers on their established presence in the county of Kent by the year 1700. During this period, Kent was a vital region for agriculture and trade, serving as a gateway between London and the European continent. Families living in this area often participated in the local parish system, which acted as the primary method for tracking births, marriages, and deaths before modern civil registration began. While the name Borak is relatively rare in British records from this era, its appearance in Kent suggests that early family members were likely integrated into the rural economy of the southeast. These early settlers would have lived through a time of significant social change as Britain transitioned into the eighteenth century, navigating the local customs and labor markets that defined life in the English countryside.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Burkhard
Derived from the Germanic elements for fortress and hardy or brave.
This name
BorakA surname originating as a shortened form of names signifying a strong, protected warrior.
also spelled
Borck
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
bearStrength, cunning and protection of kin
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
bearStrength, cunning and protection of kin
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
cross symbolChristian faith and service
lionCourage, strength and royalty
