A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Broadhead family of England.
Reg. 0707 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
cinquefoilHope and joy
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Gu. on a bend ar. three cinquefoils of the field, over all a fesse enhanced or”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Broadhead Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Broadhead arms are recorded
The Broadhead arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried 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 England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Broadhead arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
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 England.
Origin & History of the Broadhead Family in England
The surname Broadhead is a descriptive name that likely originated in Northern England during the Middle Ages. It was traditionally given as a nickname to someone who possessed a broad forehead or a particularly large head. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the Broadhead family were well-established in the city of York. During this period, the family was part of the growing urban population in a city known for its trade and religious significance. As the name spread from its rural roots, it became firmly anchored in the social and economic life of Yorkshire. Over the following centuries, the family continued to grow and integrate into the local community, leaving a lasting mark on the history of the region.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
brad heafod
Old English words for broad and head or headland.
This name
BroadheadA topographic name for someone who lived near a wide hill or a prominent headland.
also spelled
Brodhead
Broadhed
Brodhed
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Reaney, Percy Hide, A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
York City Archives, York City Chamberlains' Accounts, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
cinquefoilHope and joy
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
cinquefoilHope and joy
