A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Brodnax family of England.
Reg. 5184 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
cinquefoilHope and joy
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Or, two chev. gu. on a chief of the second three cinquefoils ar”
KentKent, c. 1620
Where the Brodnax Arms Were Recorded
Kent
Map of England showing where the Brodnax arms are recorded
The Brodnax arms were recorded in Kent, c. 1620.
Kent sits between London and the short crossing to Europe, and the trade passing through made it wealthy. Merchant families bought land with that money, and it was landowners who took coats 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 England when the Brodnax 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 Kent.
Origin & History of the Brodnax Family in England
The Brodnax family name traces its roots to the county of Kent in England, where the family was firmly established by the early seventeenth century. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the family held land and social standing within this region, particularly around the area of Godmersham. The name itself is believed to be locational in origin, likely derived from a specific geographic feature or a small settlement known to early residents. As the family grew, they became integrated into the local gentry, often serving in administrative or legal roles within their parishes. By the time the first members of the family began to migrate to the American colonies, they carried with them a history deeply connected to the agricultural and social life of the English countryside. This transition marked a significant shift for the family, as they moved from the stable, long-held estates of Kent to the developing frontiers of the New World.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Broad Oaks
A geographical location characterized by wide or expansive oak trees.
This name
BrodnaxA habitational surname denoting someone who lived near a prominent or wide-spreading oak tree.
also spelled
Broadnax
Brodnacks
Broadnacks
Related arms
Broadnaxvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Hasted, Edward. The History and Topographical Survey of the County of Kent. 1797
The National Archives. Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills, 1384–1858. Series PROB 11
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
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
cinquefoilHope and joy
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
cinquefoilHope and joy
