Map of England showing where the Broker arms are recorded
The Broker 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 Broker 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 Broker Family in England
The surname Broker originated in England as an occupational name for a middleman or an agent who negotiated trades between buyers and sellers. During the medieval period, the term described a person who acted as a broker of goods, often in bustling market towns where commerce was the primary way of life. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the county of Kent. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Broker family were living in this region, where they likely engaged in local trade or agriculture. As the name became hereditary, it transitioned from a simple job description into a permanent family identifier that linked these early ancestors to the economic life of southeastern England.
Broker Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
brocour
Old French term for a wine merchant or middleman.
This name
BrokerAn occupational surname for an agent or middleman who arranged transactions between buyers and sellers.
also spelled
Brokar
Brokare
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
The National Archives, Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills, 1620
Kent History and Library Centre, Archdeaconry Court of Canterbury Probate Records, 1620
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
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
