Brok History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Germany

The ancestral home of the Brok family is in the region of Prussia. Brok is a German nickname surname. Such names came from eke-names, or added names, that described their initial bearer through reference to a physical characteristic or other attribute. It is a name for a near a bridge. The family name Brok was originally derived from the German word brücke, which in turn was originally derived from the Old German brugga, which means bridge. However, in the Low German regions, the name Brok stems from the Low German word brauk which means swamp. Alternatively, in the eastern parts of Germany, the surname Brok originated as a nickname type of surname derived from the Wendish (Slavic) word bruk, which means beetle or bug.

Early Origins of the Brok family

The surname Brok was first found in Bavaria, where the name Bruck became noted for its many branches with the region where each house acquired a status and influence which was envied by the princes of the region.

One of the first records of the family was Ocko I tom Brok (de Broke) (c. 1345-1389), Chieftain of the Brokmerland and the Auricherland in East Frisia, a former territory on Germany's North Sea coast (1376-1389.) His son, Ocko II tom Brok (1407-1435) was also Chieftain of the Brokmerland and the Auricherland in East Frisia.

Early History of the Brok family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Brok research. Another 90 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1500, 1515 and 1554 are included under the topic Early Brok History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Brok Spelling Variations

In the medieval era, many different cultural groups lived in the German states. There are thus many regional variations of German surnames from that era. Westphalians spoke Low German, which is similar to modern Dutch. Many German names carry suffixes that identify where they came from. Others have phrases attached that identify something about the original bearer. Other variations in German names resulted from the fact that medieval scribes worked without the aid of any spelling rules. The spelling variations of the name Brok include Bruch, Brucke, Brukke, Breuck, Breucke, Breuch, Breukk, Brueck, Bruech, Bruecke and many more.

Early Notables of the Brok family

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

Migration of the Brok family

Much of German history has been shaped by the state of Prussia. It was an enduring military power until after the Second World War. At that time, the state was abolished altogether and its land divided between the Soviet Union, Poland, East Germany and West Germany. While some Prussians were content to remain in those countries, others moved away, many of them migrating to North America. They entered the United States mostly through Philadelphia, moving on to Ohio, Texas, Illinois, California, New York, and Maryland. Others went to Canada, settling on the prairies and in the province of Ontario. Among those of this surname listed in various historical records were: Magdalena and Friedrich Bruck, who both arrived in Philadelphia in 1776; Jacob and Ludwick Bruck arrived in Somerset County, Pa. in 1838; Elis arrived in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1846.

Contemporary Notables of the name Brok (post 1700) +

Elmar Peter Brok (b. 1946), German politician, Member of the European Parliament (MEP) from Germany, Chair of the European Parliament Foreign Affairs Committee (2012-2017)
Arnoud Adrianus Maria "Arno" Brok (b. 1968), Dutch politician of the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy, King's Commissioner of Friesland (2017-)