Show ContentsBroech History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Broech comes from the Rhineland, an ancient region of Germany. In pre-medieval times, the Germans used only one name, but later they were forced by a growing population to adopt hereditary surnames; so as to remain distinct from the many others of the same first name. Local names were often chosen. They originally indicated land ownership, and frequently carried the prefix von, meaning "of" or "from," which is often taken as an indication of aristocratic lineage. Broech was a name for some one lived beside a dyke. Broech is a topographic surname, which was given to a person who resided near a physical feature such as a hill, stream, church, or type of tree. Habitation names form the other broad category of surnames that were derived from place-names. They were derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads. Other local names are derived from the names of houses, manors, estates, regions, and entire counties.

Early Origins of the Broech family

The surname Broech was first found in the Rhineland, where the name Bruch contributed greatly to the development of an emerging nation and played a large role in the tribal and national conflicts of the area. In later years the name branched into many houses, where family members continued to play a significant role in the local social and political affairs.

Early History of the Broech family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Broech research. Another 59 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Broech History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Broech Spelling Variations

Many cultural groups lived in the German states in medieval times. Each had its own dialect and traditions, and unique variations of popular names. Low German, which is similar to contemporary Dutch, was spoken in Westphalia. German names are characterized by additions such as regional suffixes and phrases that tell something about the origin or background of its original bearer. Further contributing to the variation in German names was the fact that there were no spelling rules in medieval times: scribes recorded names according to their sound. The recorded spelling variations of Broech include Bruch, Bruche, Bruck, Brucke, Bruk, Brukke, Brouch, Brouche, Brouck, Brouke, Bruech, Brueck, Bruek, Brok, Brokke, Broech, Broeck, Broech, Broeche, Broek and many more.

Early Notables of the Broech family

More information is included under the topic Early Broech Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Broech family

Between the 17th and 20th centuries, hundreds of thousands of Europeans came to North America, and many Rhinelanders were among them. They had many various reasons for making the choice: to escape poverty and persecution, for adventure, and for the opportunity to own their own land. Ellis Island, one of the main American immigration centers, saw many settlers as they moved on to the states of Pennsylvania, Ohio, Texas, Illinois, California, and New York. In Canada, they found homes in Ontario, and on the great plains of the Midwestern provinces. The Broech were among of the early German families that came to North America: John Bruch who was recorded as having arrived in Virginia in 1663; Hans Henrig Bruch who, accompanied by his wife and four children, arrived in New York state in 1709.



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