A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Broomfield family of Britain.
Reg. 0309 · Britain, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“D'azur au léopard d'or. C.: le léopard, coll. d'un bourlet d'or et d'azur.”
SussexSussex, c. 1660
Where the Broomfield Arms Were Recorded
Sussex
Map of Britain showing where the Broomfield arms are recorded
The Broomfield arms were recorded in Sussex, c. 1660.
Sussex had ironworks in its woods and good farmland on its downs. Both made money, and families who made it bought manors, which is what put their names in the heraldic records.
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 Britain in this period.
Charles II of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles II of England
1660–1685
Reigning in Britain when the Broomfield arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Britain
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 Sussex.
Origin & History of the Broomfield Family in Britain
The surname Broomfield is a locational name, which means it was originally given to people who lived near a field where the broom shrub grew. This plant, known for its bright yellow flowers, was common across the English countryside during the Middle Ages. By the year 1660, records confirm that members of the Broomfield family were well-established in the county of Sussex. During this period, families often took their names from the specific landmarks or geographic features near their homes. As these individuals moved to different towns or villages, they carried the name with them, helping it spread from its rural origins into a permanent family identity. This transition from a simple description of a person’s surroundings to a formal surname reflects the way many English families developed their names during the seventeenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Brom-feld
Old English for a field where broom shrubs grow.
This name
BroomfieldA topographical name for someone who lived near a field of broom plants.
also spelled
Bromfeild
Broomfield
Brumfield
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1958
West Sussex Record Office, Parish Register Transcripts, 1660
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lionCourage, strength and royalty
lionCourage, strength and royalty
