A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bromhead family of England.
Reg. 5343 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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 bend ar. betw. two leopards' faces or, a mural crown gu. betw. two fleurs-de-lis sa”
LincolnThurlby Hall · Lincoln, c. 1620
Where the Bromhead Arms Were Recorded
Lincoln
Map of England showing where the Bromhead arms are recorded
The Bromhead arms were recorded in Lincoln, c. 1620.
Lincolnshire was rich farming country, and its wealth was spread across many middling families. Households of that size bought land and took arms, and the county holds a large share of English names.
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 Bromhead 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 Lincoln.
Origin & History of the Bromhead Family in England
The surname Bromhead is rooted in the landscape of Northern England, likely originating from a descriptive term for a specific location. The name is composed of two Old English elements, with "brom" referring to the broom plant and "head" often denoting a headland or a prominent piece of high ground. This suggests that the earliest ancestors to carry the name were people who lived near a hillside covered in broom shrubs. By the year 1620, the family had established a notable presence in the city of Lincoln. During this period, the family became integrated into the local community, likely participating in the trade and civic life that defined the historic cathedral city. As the family grew, they remained connected to the regional identity of Lincolnshire, helping to preserve the name through generations of local history.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
brūn and hēafod
Old English words for brown and head or top of a hill.
This name
BromheadA topographic name denoting someone who lived near a brown-colored hill or headland.
also spelled
Bromhed
Bromhede
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
Lincolnshire Archives, Lincoln St. Mary le Wigford Parish Registers, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
