A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Broom family of England.
Reg. 9690 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
branchPeace, and new growth
Colours
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)
“Vert on a chev. ar. three broom branches ppr”
KentThe Priory · Kent, c. 1620
Where the Broom Arms Were Recorded
Kent
Map of England showing where the Broom arms are recorded
The Broom 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 Broom 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 Broom Family in England
The surname Broom is primarily topographical in origin, meaning it was originally used to identify people who lived near patches of broom, a hardy yellow-flowering shrub common in the English countryside. By the early 17th century, the name was well-established in the county of Kent, where families bearing this name were active members of the local community. Historical records from 1620 confirm that the Broom family had already put down deep roots in this region, likely working as farmers or tradespeople who relied on the local landscape for their livelihood. Because surnames were often adopted based on familiar landmarks, the name reflects a long-standing connection to the specific fields and heaths of southeastern England. Over generations, these families helped shape the local culture and economy of Kent, moving from simple descriptions of their homes to a permanent family identity.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
brōm
Old English word for the gorse or broom shrub.
This name
BroomA topographical name for someone who lived near a place where broom shrubs grew.
also spelled
Brome
Related arms
Bromevariant spelling
Cottonrecorded with Broom, same area
Gilbertrecorded with Broom, same area
Marshallrecorded with Broom, same area
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
Cottle, Basil, The Penguin Dictionary of Surnames, 1967
The National Archives, Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills, 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
branchPeace, and new growth
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
branchPeace, and new growth
