A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Brockmann family of Austria.
Reg. 4021 · Austrian, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“De sa. à un chat d'arg., la tête de front, assis sur un tertre du même et tenant entre ses dents une souris de sa. Cq. cour. C.: le chat.”
Austriac. 1772
Where the Brockmann Arms Were Recorded
Tyrol
Map of Austria showing where the Brockmann arms are recorded
The Brockmann arms were recorded in Austria, c. 1772.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Tyrol.
Tyrol was mountain country in western Austria, where the valleys were held by families who had been there a very long time. Old tenure counted for more than money, and old families 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.
Region
Tyrol
First recorded
1772
Granting Authority for the Brockmann Arms
Imperial and Royal chancery
Sodacan · CC BY-SA 3.0
The body that granted and recorded arms in Austria in this period.
Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
1765–1790
Reigning in Austria when the Brockmann arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Austria
Austrian coats of arms were often linked directly to noble titles granted by the Emperor. These symbols belonged to the entire family line rather than just one individual. When a family grew, new branches kept the original design without needing to change it. This system allowed all members of a noble house to share the same identity across many generations.
Granting authority
The Imperial and Royal chancery managed all heraldic matters and controlled the official granting of arms throughout the Austrian lands.
How they got arms
Families typically received their arms through a formal imperial decree that often accompanied the elevation of a person to noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Official records of these grants were kept in the Imperial Register of Nobility which began its formal documentation process in 1453.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Austria.
Origin & History of the Brockmann Family in Austria
The surname Brockmann is a topographic name that originated in the German-speaking regions of Europe. It is composed of the words "brook," which refers to a marsh or a small stream, and "mann," meaning a person who lives near such a feature. By the late 18th century, families carrying this name were well-established in the alpine landscape of Tyrol. In 1772, records confirm that members of the Brockmann family were living in this mountainous territory, likely working as farmers or tradespeople who relied on the local water sources for their livelihood. Because the name describes the physical environment, it likely emerged independently in several different locations as people moved into low-lying, damp areas to build their homes and cultivate the land. Over time, the name became a permanent identifier for these families as they settled into the unique culture of the Tyrolean region.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bruch
A marshy area or swampy woodland.
This name
BrockmannA person who lived near a marsh or swampy area.
also spelled
Brockman
Brokman
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Bahlow, Hans. Deutsches Namenlexikon: Familien- und Vornamen nach Ursprung und Sinn erklärt. 1967
Heintze, Albert. Die deutschen Familien-Namen, geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich. 1903
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
lionCourage, strength and royalty
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
lionCourage, strength and royalty
