A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Broadstone family of England.
Reg. 1646 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Ar. on a canton gu. a rose of the first”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Broadstone Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Broadstone arms are recorded
The Broadstone 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 Broadstone 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 Broadstone Family in England
The surname Broadstone is a topographic name, which means it was originally used to describe someone who lived near a prominent or large stone landmark. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the Broadstone family were well-established in the city of York. During this period, York was a bustling center of trade and religious life in Northern England. Families living in the city at that time often worked as skilled tradespeople or merchants who contributed to the local economy. Because the name is rooted in the physical landscape, it suggests that the family’s ancestors likely resided in a rural area near a notable rock formation or a stone boundary marker before moving into the urban environment of York. This transition from the countryside to the city was common for many families during the early seventeenth century as they sought new opportunities in growing regional hubs.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Brad-stan
Old English elements meaning broad or wide and stone or rock.
This name
BroadstoneA topographic name for someone who lived near a prominent wide stone or rocky landmark.
also spelled
Brodstone
Brodston
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Hey, David, The Oxford Guide to Family History, 2002
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records
The National Archives, State Papers Domestic, James I
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
