A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Brodie family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 6028 · Scottish, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
shipEnterprise, and a great voyage undertaken
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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 chev. gu. betw. three mullets az. a lymphad”
ElginLethen · Elgin, c. 1748
Where the Brodie Arms Were Recorded
Elgin
Map of Scotland showing where the Brodie arms are recorded
The Brodie arms were recorded in Elgin, c. 1748.
Elgin, now Moray, was rich farming country on Scotland's north-east coast with a cathedral at its centre. Church and land both brought standing, and standing was marked with 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 Scotland in this period.
George II of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George II of Great Britain
1727–1760
Reigning in Scotland when the Brodie arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Scotland
Scottish heraldry is unique because it treats a coat of arms as a piece of personal property protected by law. Only one person can own a specific design at any given time. When a family grows, the head keeps the original shield while other relatives must apply for their own distinct version with slight changes to prove their specific identity.
Granting authority
The Court of the Lord Lyon acts as the official body that regulates and controls all heraldic matters throughout Scotland.
How they got arms
Individuals obtain a legal right to their arms through a formal petition process that confirms their identity and family connection.
Where arms were recorded
All valid coats of arms are officially entered into the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings starting from 1672.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Elgin.
Origin & History of the Brodie Family in Scotland
The Brodie family name originates from the lands of Brodie in the county of Moray, located in the northeast of Scotland. The name itself is likely derived from the Gaelic word *broth*, which refers to a ditch or a mire, suggesting that the early ancestors lived near a marshy or low-lying area. By the mid-eighteenth century, the family had established a firm presence in the nearby town of Elgin. During this period, Elgin served as a vital hub for trade and local government in the region. Members of the Brodie family were active participants in the social and economic life of this burgh. Their transition from rural landholders to town-dwelling citizens reflects the broader shifts in Scottish society during the 1700s as families sought greater opportunities in growing urban centers. This history highlights the family's deep roots in the landscape of northern Scotland and their long-standing connection to the development of the Moray region.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
wreathHonour, and a victory crowned
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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)
“Az. on a chev. betw. three mullets ar. three civic wreaths vert”
SuffolkBoxford · Suffolk, c. 1620
Where the Brodie Arms Were Recorded
Suffolk
Map of England showing where the Brodie arms are recorded
The Brodie arms were recorded in Suffolk, c. 1620.
Suffolk was wool country, and its cloth towns were among the wealthiest in England. Clothier families bought manors with their profits, and holding a manor was the ordinary route to a coat of 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 Scotland when the Brodie 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 Suffolk.
Origin & History of the Brodie Family in England
The history of the Brodie name in England is deeply rooted in the social shifts of the early seventeenth century. While the name is often associated with Scottish origins, records confirm that members of the family were established in the county of Suffolk by 1620. During this period, Suffolk was a center for trade and agriculture, and families like the Brodies were often involved in the local parish life and the growing mercantile economy of East Anglia. As they settled into these communities, they became part of the local fabric, participating in the daily activities of village life and the administration of local land. Their presence in Suffolk suggests that the family was mobile and integrated into the broader English society of the time, moving away from their northern roots to seek new opportunities in the prosperous southern counties.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Brothaig
Derived from the Gaelic word for a ditch, mire, or muddy place.
This name
BrodieRefers to a person who lived near a muddy stream or marshy land.
also spelled
Brody
Brodey
Related arms
Brondrecorded with Brodie, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bain, Robert, The Clans and Tartans of Scotland, 1938
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning, and History, 1946
National Records of Scotland, Elgin Burgh Records, B26
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
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
shipEnterprise, and a great voyage undertaken
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
shipEnterprise, and a great voyage undertaken
wreathHonour, and a victory crowned
