A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Brocklesby family of England.
Reg. 9082 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
cross symbolChristian faith and service
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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. three lapwings or, on a chief of the last three crosses crosslet of the first”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Brocklesby Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Brocklesby arms are recorded
The Brocklesby 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 Brocklesby 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 Brocklesby Family in England
The surname Brocklesby originates from a specific place name in Lincolnshire, England. The name is derived from Old Norse elements, combining the word for a badger with a term for a woodland clearing or pasture. This suggests that the earliest people to carry the name were likely residents of the village of Brocklesby who eventually moved away to other regions. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the family had established a presence in the city of York. During this period, families often moved to major urban centers to pursue new trades or professional opportunities. As these individuals settled into city life, they helped carry the history of their rural ancestral home into the growing administrative and commercial hubs of Northern England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Brocc-leah-by
Badger, woodland clearing, and farmstead or settlement.
This name
BrocklesbyA settlement located near a woodland clearing frequented by badgers.
also spelled
Brockelsby
Broklesby
Brokelsby
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Ekwall, Eilert. The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Place-names. 1960
Reaney, P.H. A Dictionary of British Surnames. 1958
Borthwick Institute for Archives, University of York. Archbishop of York’s Diocesan Records: Parish Registers
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
cross symbolChristian faith and service
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
cross symbolChristian faith and service
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
