A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bromley family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 1396 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ec. de gu. et d'or, la ligne du parti mortaisée. Cq. timbré d'une couronne murale d'or. C.: un lion iss. de sa., tenant une banderole de sin. ch. d'un griffon pass. d'or; la pique au nat., arm. d'arg. S.: à dextre une licorne au nat., coll. d'une couronne d'or, enchaînée du même; à sen. un cheval d'arg. semé de tourt. de sa., coll. d'un collier mortaisé d'azur, ch. de trois los. d'or. D.: NON INFERIORA SECUTUS.”
Francec. 1741
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Map of France showing where the Bromley arms are recorded
The Bromley arms were recorded in France, c. 1741.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bretagne.
More families held coats of arms in Bretagne than anywhere else in France. The land was divided into many small estates rather than a few large ones, so far more households counted as gentry, and each needed a shield of its own to be told apart.
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 France in this period.
Louis XV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XV of France
1715–1774
Reigning in France when the Bromley arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of France.
Origin & History of the Bromley Family in France
The history of the Bromley name in France is deeply tied to the coastal region of Bretagne, where records confirm family members were established by 1741. While the name itself has roots in older linguistic traditions, its presence in this part of France suggests a family that was well-integrated into the local social and economic life of the eighteenth century. During this era, families in Bretagne often lived in close-knit communities centered around agriculture, maritime trade, or local administration. The Bromleys likely navigated the unique cultural landscape of the region, which maintained its own distinct traditions and language separate from the rest of the French kingdom. By settling in this area, they became part of the long-standing history of a province known for its resilience and strong regional identity. Their presence in 1741 serves as a clear starting point for understanding how the family adapted to the challenges and opportunities of life in pre-revolutionary France.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
escutcheonA shield within a shield, and a claim inherited
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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)
“Quarterly, per fesse indented gu. and or, an escutcheon ar. charged with a griffin segreant vert”
CheshireCheshire, c. 1620
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Map of England showing where the Bromley arms are recorded
The Bromley arms were recorded in Cheshire, c. 1620.
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 France when the Bromley 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 Cheshire.
Origin & History of the Bromley Family in England
The family name Bromley originates from Old English words meaning a clearing where broom grows. By the early seventeenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the county of Cheshire. During this period, the region was characterized by agricultural development and the growth of local landholding families. Members of the Bromley family were often involved in the management of rural estates and local governance, which helped them integrate into the social fabric of the English countryside. Their documented presence in Cheshire by 1620 suggests they were part of a stable community that relied on farming and regional trade. As the family moved through the generations, they became deeply connected to the landscape and the shifting political climate of northwestern England.
Bromley Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Bromleage
Old English for a woodland clearing where broom shrubs grow.
This name
BromleyDerived from a place name referring to a meadow or clearing characterized by broom plants.
also spelled
Bromly
Bromlee
Bromle
Bromleigh
Related arms
Bromlevariant spelling
Cocketrecorded with Bromley, same area
Frederickrecorded with Bromley, same area
Garrickrecorded with Bromley, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales du Morbihan, Série B (Archives judiciaires d'Ancien Régime)
Archives départementales du Finistère, Série E (Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil)
Gautier, Hervé, Histoire de la Bretagne, 1993
Le Gall, Jean-Yves, La vie quotidienne en Bretagne au XVIIIe siècle, 1988
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
escutcheonA shield within a shield, and a claim inherited
