Show ContentsBromfeld History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Bromfeld is of Anglo-Saxon origin and came from when the family lived near an area of open land covered with broom, which is a type of shrub which usually has small yellow flowers. The surname Bromfeld may also be derived from residence in one of the places called Broomfield in the counties of Kent, Essex, or Somerset, or in one of the settlements called Bromfield in Cumberland (Cumbria) or at Broomfield in Shropshire.

Early Origins of the Bromfeld family

The surname Bromfeld was first found in Cumberland where their ancient manor and estates were at Hames Hall. They became one of the distinguished families of Cumberland. They also became responsible for the defense of the East March of the English Scottish border along with the Greys and the Dunnes. The place name was first spelt Brounefled (c. 1125) and was derived from the Old English words brom + fled. 1

One of the earliest records of the name was Edmund de Bromfield (Edmund Bromfeld or Bramfield) (died 1393), an English Benedictine monk of Bury St. Edmunds who became bishop of Llandaff. 2

Early History of the Bromfeld family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bromfeld research. Another 71 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1550, 1604, 1610, 1621, 1622, 1624, 1631, 1636, 1647, 1650, 1666, 1672, 1683, 1689, 1704 and 1733 are included under the topic Early Bromfeld History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bromfeld Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Bromfeld are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. Scribes and monks in the Middle Ages spelled names they sounded, so it is common to find several variations that refer to a single person. The variations of the name Bromfeld include: Broomfield, Broomfeild, Bromfield, Broomfelde and many more.

Early Notables of the Bromfeld family

Notables of this surname at this time include: Matthew Broomfield (fl. 1550), a Welsh poet whose poems are preserved in manuscript in the collections of the Cymmrodorion Society and of the Welsh School, both in the British Museum; Sir John Bromfield, 1st Baronet (c. 1610-c. 1666) of Southwark in Surrey, High Sheriff of Surrey in 1689; Arthur Bromfield (died 1650), an English politician who sat in the House of Commons between 1604 and 1622; Sir Edward Bromfield (c. 1631-1704)...
Another 79 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Bromfeld Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Bromfeld family

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Bromfeld or a variant listed above: Henry Bromfield who settled in Boston Massachusetts in 1766; Mark Bromfield settled in Virginia in 1645; James Bromfield settled in New England in 1758.



  1. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  2. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print


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