Brolly History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland
Scotland

The origins of the Brolly name come from when the Anglo-Saxon tribes ruled over Britain. The name Brolly was originally derived from a family having lived in Lincolnshire, where they held estates in the village and parish of Bradley, and from which they derived their family name. The name refers to the local "broad ley" meaning "broad meadow" and for this there are many, many parishes, townships, hamlets with this name throughout England. 1 However, the first record of the name appears in the Poll Tax Records of Lincolnshire where William de Bradelai was listed in 1170. 2

Early Origins of the Brolly family

The surname Brolly was first found in Lincolnshire. However, there are at least fifteen parishes and towns that have "Bradley" as part of their name throughout Britain. 1 Most are very small, but three of them date back to the Domesday Book of 1086: Bradley, Derbyshire (Braidelei); Bradley, Maiden Wiltshire (Bradelie) and Bradley in the Moors, Staffordshire (Bretlei.) 3 A reference to the family in the township of Wilpshire in Lancashire was also found. "This place appears to have been the property of the Braddylls, and of the monks of Whalley." 4

Early spellings of the family were very different than those in use today as seen by early entries in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273: Robert de Bradeleye, Cambridgeshire; and Brice de Bradeleghe, Somerset. 5

The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 also had early spellings: Willelmus Brodelegh; Agnes Brodelegh; and Agnes de Bradelay.

Kirby's Quest lists Richard de Bradleghe, Somerset, 1 Edward III and Henry de Bradleye, Somerset, 1 Edward III (during the first year's reign of King Edward III) 6

Further to the north in Scotland, the family hails from "the lands of Braidlie in the barony of Hawick, Roxburghshire [where] John de Bradely rendered homage at Berwick in 1291 and William de Bradeleye of the county of Roxburghe rendered homage in 1296. The seal of William is a curious one, bearing a tree supported by two hares, the dexter one beating a cymbal or drum, the sinister playing a pipe; bird in top, a dog coiled at base, and legend S' Will'i de Bradeley." 7

Early History of the Brolly family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Brolly research. Another 99 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1379, 1596, 1616, 1620, 1627, 1628, 1629, 1673, 1678, 1693, 1732, 1762 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Brolly History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Brolly Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, French and other languages became incorporated into English through the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Brolly include Bradley, Bradlie, Bradleigh, Bradly, Bradeley and others.

Early Notables of the Brolly family

Notables of this surname at this time include: Sir Francis Bradley; and Thomas Bradley (ca.1596-1673), English chaplain to George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham and later Chaplain to King Charles I (1628.) "He became a battler of Exeter College, Oxford, in 1616, and proceeded B.A. on 21 July 1620. He was chaplain to the Duke of Buckingham for several years, and accompanied him in the expedition to Rochelle and the Isle of Rhé in 1627. After Buckingham's murder in the following year he became chaplain to Charles I, and on 16 June 1629 a captain in the expedition...
Another 98 words (7 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Brolly Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Brolly family to Ireland

Some of the Brolly family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 119 words (8 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Brolly migration to the United States +

A great wave of immigration to the New World was the result of the enormous political and religious disarray that struck England at that time. Families left for the New World in extremely large numbers. The long journey was the end of many immigrants and many more arrived sick and starving. Still, those who made it were rewarded with an opportunity far greater than they had known at home in England. These emigrant families went on to make significant contributions to these emerging colonies in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers carried this name or one of its variants:

Brolly Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Lizzie Brolly, aged 2, who arrived in America from Londonderry, Ireland, in 1898
Maggie Brolly, aged 0, who arrived in America from Londonderry, in 1898
Rose Brolly, aged 26, who arrived in America from Londonderry, Ireland, in 1898
Sarah Brolly, aged 3, who arrived in America from Londonderry, Ireland, in 1898

Brolly Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Elizabeth J. Brolly, aged 22, who arrived in America from Derry, Ireland, in 1900
Catherine Brolly, aged 21, who arrived in America from Derry, Ireland, in 1904
Thomas Brolly, aged 30, who arrived in America from Derry, Ireland, in 1905
Peter Brolly, aged 27, who arrived in America from Ballindraite, Ireland, in 1907
Martha Brolly, aged 25, who arrived in America from Derry, Ireland, in 1907
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Brolly (post 1700) +

Brian Brolly (1936-2006), English showbusiness entrepreneur, managing director of Paul and Linda McCartney's MPL Communications, and Andrew Lloyd Webber's Really Useful Theatre Company
Francis "Francie" Brolly (1937-2020), Irish musician, retired teacher and politician from Dungiven, Northern Ireland, MLA for Londonderry, East (2003-2010)
Anne Brolly, Irish Sinn Féin politician, Mayor of Limavady (2003-2004)
Shane R. Brolly (b. 1970), Irish actor, best known for his role as Kraven in Underworld
Joe Brolly (b. 1969), Irish barrister, Gaelic football analyst and former player
Michael Joseph Brolly (b. 1954), Scottish former professional footballer who played from 1971 to 1985

The Brolly Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Vigilance et audax
Motto Translation: Vigilant and bold.

Citations +

Barber, Henry, British Family Names London: Elliot Stock, 62 Paternoster Row, 1894. Print.
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)