Map of France showing where the du Broc arms are recorded
The du Broc arms were recorded in Nivernais, c. 1663.
Nivernais was central French country of woods, ironworks and river trade. Its landed families were modest but numerous, and each holding brought its own claim to a coat 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 France in this period.
Louis XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the du Broc 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 Nivernais.
Origin & History of the du Broc Family in France
The surname du Broc finds its historical roots in the Nivernais region of central France, where the family established a notable presence by the mid-seventeenth century. The name itself is topographical in origin, likely derived from the Old French word "broc," which referred to a thicket, a wooded area, or a marshy place. This suggests that the earliest ancestors of the family were likely landowners or residents living near a distinct natural landmark. By 1663, records confirm that members of the du Broc family were well-integrated into the local social fabric of Nivernais. During this era, families in the region often held roles tied to the management of rural estates or local administration. As the family grew, they maintained their connection to the landscape of central France, preserving their identity through the changing political and social landscape of the French provinces.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Broc
Old French term for a badger or a water pitcher.
This name
du BrocA topographic name denoting someone who lived near a badger burrow or a specific landmark.
also spelled
Dubro
Du Bro
Dubrock
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales de la Nièvre, Série E: Familles, seigneuries et domaines
Gautier, Hippolyte, La France au XVIIe siècle, 1886
Soultrait, Georges de, Dictionnaire topographique du département de la Nièvre, 1865
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
lionCourage, strength and royalty
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
lionCourage, strength and royalty
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
