Broad Family Crest, Coat of Arms and Name History

Broad Origin:

England

Origins of Broad:

This uncommon name is of 8th-century Anglo-Saxon origin and is an example of a large group of old surnames that formed from the continual use of nicknames. These were related to a variety of qualities like a person’s mental and moral attributes, physical characteristics, an imagined likeness to an animal’s or bird’s appearance, or to a style of dressing or profession. In this situation, the nickname acquires from the Olde English pre 7th Century “brad,” which means vast, wide, in Middle English “brode,” and given to a person believed to be large or fat. So, the whole meanings of the name are a large person. There is also a new surname appeared as Brading, showing that there was an Old English particular name, “Brada,” in Middle English “Brade,” which may also be a means of the surname Broad. In some examples, the name may be geographical in origin, showing residence “at the broad,” a vast place, as in the new term “the Norfolk Broads.” Stephen Bradde noted in the Hundred Rolls of Nolk in 1275, and Gilbert le Brode in the Essex ‘Feet of Fines’ rolls of 1235.

Variations:

More common variations are: Broady, Broade, Broiad, Byroad, Broadt, Broyad, Broadd, Broadw, Broadi, Broaud.

England:

The very first recording spelling of the family was shown to be that of John le Brade, dated about 1212, in the “Curia Rolls of Kent.” It was during the time of King John who was known to be the “Lackland,” dated 1199-1216. The origin of surnames during this period became a necessity with the introduction of personal taxation. It came to be known as Poll Tax in England. Surnames all over the country began to develop, with unique and shocking spelling varietions of the original one.

United States of America:

Individuals with the surname Broad landed in the United States in three different centuries respectively in the 17th, 18th, and 20th. Some of the people with the name Broad who arrived in the United States in the 17th century included Tho Broad and Thomazin Broad, both landed in Virginia in 1635.

People with the surname Broad who landed in the United States in the 18th century included Francis Broad, who arrived in New England in 1730.

The following century saw much more Broad surnames arrive. Some of the people with the name Broad who arrived in the United States in the 20th century included Benjamin Broad, who landed in Mississippi in 1903.

Canada:

People with the surname Broad who settled in Canada in the 19th century included John Broad, Isobel Broad, Michael Broad, James Broad and John Broad, all arrived in Quebec aboard the ship “Atlas” in the same year 1815.

Australia:

Some of the individuals with the surname Broad who landed in Australia in the 19th century included John Broad arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship “Cressy” in 1847. Martin Broad arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship “Duke of Bedford” in 1848. Henry T Broad arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship “Forfarshire” in 1848. Mary Broad arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship “Ramillies” in 1849.

New-Zealand:

Some of the population with the surname Broad who arrived in New Zealand in the 19th century included Charles Broad arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship “Alma” in 1857. Sarah Broad arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship “Alma” in 1857.

Here is the population distribution of the last name Broad: England 5,646; United States 2,465; Australia 2,306; Canada 1,201; New Zealand 781; South Africa 657; Wales 587; Germany 235; Scotland 230; Brazil 207.

Notable People:

Alfred Scott Broad (1854–1929) was a South Australian artist.

C. D. Broad was an English philosopher known for his thorough and objective analysis in works such as Scientific Thought (1930) and Examination of McTaggart’s Philosophy (1933).

Chris Broad was an old English cricket player and match referee.

Blazons & Genealogy Notes

Ar. a pale sa. in fesse three lozenges counterchanged. Crest—A demi savage holding in the dexter hand three arrows, and pointing with the sinister to an imperial crown.