Show ContentsBromfyt History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Anglo-Saxon name Bromfyt comes from the family having resided near an area of open land covered with broom, which is a type of shrub which usually has small yellow flowers. The surname Bromfyt 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 Bromfyt family

The surname Bromfyt 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 Bromfyt family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bromfyt 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 Bromfyt History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bromfyt Spelling Variations

Bromfyt has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Spelling variants included: Broomfield, Broomfeild, Bromfield, Broomfelde and many more.

Early Notables of the Bromfyt 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 Bromfyt Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Bromfyt family

In an attempt to escape the chaos experienced in England, many English families boarded overcrowded and diseased ships sailing for the shores of North America and other British colonies. Those families hardy enough, and lucky enough, to make the passage intact were rewarded with land and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families became important contributors to the young colonies in which they settled. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Bromfyts to arrive on North American shores: 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


Houseofnames.com on Facebook