A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Brockwell family of England.
Reg. 5975 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Sa. three estoiles or”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Brockwell Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Brockwell arms are recorded
The Brockwell 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 Brockwell 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 Brockwell Family in England
The surname Brockwell is rooted in the landscape of medieval England, likely originating as a topographic name for someone who lived near a "broc-wielle," or a spring frequented by badgers. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the historic city of York. Records confirm that members of the Brockwell family were living in this northern hub by 1620, a time when York served as a vital center for trade, religion, and regional administration. During this period, families in York often lived in timber-framed houses along the narrow, winding streets near the Minster. As residents of such a significant city, the early Brockwells would have been witnesses to the shifting political and social tides that defined England in the years leading up to the Civil War. Their presence in the city suggests they were integrated into the local economy, contributing to the vibrant urban life that characterized York during the early Stuart era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Brocc
Old English or Celtic term referring to a badger.
This name
BrockwellA dweller near a spring or stream frequented by badgers.
also spelled
Brockwill
Brokwell
Brokwill
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, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
York City Archives, York City Chamberlains' Accounts, 1620
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starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
