Map of France showing where the Broach arms are recorded
The Broach arms were recorded in Franche-Comte, c. 1600.
Franche-Comte sat between France and the Empire and changed hands more than once. Border families held their land under arms and expected to defend it, so a shield was a practical thing rather than an ornament.
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 France in this period.
Henry IV of France
Sovereign of the period
Henry IV of France
1589–1610
Reigning in France when the Broach arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Franche-Comte.
Origin & History of the Broach Family in France
The family name Broach finds its historical roots in the rugged, mountainous region of Franche-Comté during the early 17th century. During this period, the area was a crossroads of European influence, situated between the Kingdom of France and the Holy Roman Empire. Families living in this region often worked as skilled laborers or farmers who adapted to the changing political borders of the time. The name likely evolved from local dialects used by people living in the Jura Mountains, where small communities relied on close-knit family ties to survive harsh winters and shifting regional loyalties. By the year 1600, records show that these individuals were firmly established in the local social fabric, contributing to the agricultural and craft-based economy that defined the province before it was fully incorporated into the French kingdom. This early presence in Franche-Comté suggests a history defined by resilience and a deep connection to the land of eastern France.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'azur, chapé d'arg. C.: deux bras, arm. au nat., les mains de carn. tenant un miroir ovale, encadré et emm. d'or, en pal.”
Denmarkc. 1722
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Map of Denmark showing where the Broach arms are recorded
The Broach arms were recorded in Denmark, c. 1722.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Sjaælland.
Zealand held the Danish court, the crown's offices and Copenhagen itself. Families who served the king kept estates within reach of it, and royal service was the ordinary route to a coat 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 Denmark in this period.
Frederik IV of Denmark
Sovereign of the period
Frederik IV of Denmark
1699–1730
Reigning in France when the Broach arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Denmark
Danish heraldry during this period was closely tied to noble status and royal favor rather than being open to all citizens. Arms were typically granted by the monarch to individuals, and these symbols were then shared by all members of the noble house. If a family line died out, the right to use those specific arms ended with them.
Granting authority
The Danish royal chancery held the power to issue and regulate official coats of arms for the kingdom.
How they got arms
Families usually received their arms through a formal royal grant that confirmed their noble status and rights.
Where arms were recorded
These grants were officially recorded in the Danish Royal Chancery records starting in the sixteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Denmark.
Origin & History of the Broach Family in Denmark
The history of the Broach family in Denmark begins in the early eighteenth century, specifically within the region of Sjælland. By 1722, records confirm that members of the family were established in this area, which served as the heart of Danish political and social life. During this period, the Danish population was largely tied to agricultural life and the rigid social structures of the time. Families often lived in small, tight-knit rural communities where surnames were frequently tied to specific locations or local occupations. For the Broach family, living on the island of Sjælland meant they were situated near Copenhagen, the center of trade and royal administration. While the name itself may have evolved from older linguistic roots, its presence in the 1722 parish registers highlights a family that was integrated into the local church and community systems of the Danish monarchy. This era was characterized by a transition toward more formal record-keeping, allowing us to trace the family’s presence through the meticulous documentation of births, marriages, and deaths maintained by local clergy.
Broach Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Broche
A pointed tool or a spit for roasting meat.
This name
BroachAn occupational name for a maker of skewers or a person who used a spit.
also spelled
Brok
Brock
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives Départementales du Doubs, Série B: Cours et juridictions
Benoit, Arthur, Recherches sur la Franche-Comté, 1872
Gauthier, Jules, Dictionnaire des communes du département du Doubs, 1886
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
