Map of England showing where the Broda arms are recorded
The Broda arms were recorded in Gloucester, c. 1661.
Gloucestershire had good farmland, a cloth trade in its valleys and a river carrying goods to Bristol. All three made money, and money bought the estates that brought arms with them.
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.
Charles II of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles II of England
1660–1685
Reigning in England when the Broda 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 Gloucester.
Origin & History of the Broda Family in England
The surname Broda carries a history rooted in the linguistic traditions of Central and Eastern Europe, where it often functioned as a descriptive nickname. In many Slavic languages, the term refers to a beard, suggesting that the name was originally bestowed upon an ancestor known for a prominent or distinctive facial feature. By the mid-17th century, individuals bearing this name had migrated across borders and established themselves in new environments, including the English settlement of Gloucester by 1661. This early presence in colonial records highlights the mobility of families during a period of significant global movement. As these early members integrated into their new communities, they helped carry the name forward, blending their ancestral identity with the emerging social structures of the time.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
brod
Old English term referring to a broad or wide physical feature.
This name
BrodaA topographic name for someone who lived near a wide stretch of land or water.
also spelled
Broadway
Brodwey
Broadwey
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bahlow, Hans, Deutsches Namenlexikon: Familien- und Vornamen nach Ursprung und Sinn erklärt, 1967
Bubak, Józef, Księga naszych nazwisk, 1993
The National Archives, Kew, Colonial Office: Original Correspondence: Secretary of State and predecessors: North America, 1661
Gloucestershire Archives, Gloucester City Records: Quarter Sessions and Petty Sessions, 1661
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
applePeace, plenty and long-standing settlement
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
applePeace, plenty and long-standing settlement
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
