A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Brogden family of England.
Reg. 4024 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
fretPersuasion, and the net that holds
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Gu. fretty ar. a chief or”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Brogden Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Brogden arms are recorded
The Brogden 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 Brogden 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 Brogden Family in England
The surname Brogden is rooted in the landscape of Northern England, specifically within the historic county of Yorkshire. Etymologists believe the name is locational, likely derived from a combination of Old English words meaning a valley or a clearing near a brook. By the early seventeenth century, the family was well-established in the city of York, where records confirm their presence by 1620. During this era, the Brogdens were often associated with the bustling trade and civic life of the region. As the family grew, they became part of the local social fabric, contributing to the development of the area through various crafts and community roles. This history reflects the broader movement of families who settled in Yorkshire during the late medieval and early modern periods, creating deep ties to the land that lasted for generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
broc and denu
Old English words for badger and a deep valley or woodland.
This name
BrogdenA topographical name referring to someone who lived in a valley frequented by badgers.
also spelled
Brogdon
Broggdon
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
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
fretPersuasion, and the net that holds
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
fretPersuasion, and the net that holds
