Show ContentsMacBroom History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The MacBroom family comes from the ancient Scottish Dalriadan clans of the mountainous west coast of Scotland. The name MacBroom is derived from the Gaelic name Maca'Bhriuthainn, which literally means the son of a judge.

Early Origins of the MacBroom family

The surname MacBroom was first found in on the Isle of Islay. Later, Andro McBrome, the burgess of Kirkcudbright, was charged with intromitting with pirates, 1576. Joannes McBromius appears in 1655 with his name in Latin form and Margaret McKbroome in the parish of Stonykirk, 1684. 1

Early History of the MacBroom family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our MacBroom research. Another 106 words (8 lines of text) covering the year 1685 is included under the topic Early MacBroom History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

MacBroom Spelling Variations

Spelling variations were extremely common in medieval names, since scribes from that era recorded names according to sound rather than a standard set of rules. MacBroom has appeared in various documents spelled MacBroom, MacBrayne and others.

Early Notables of the MacBroom family

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

Migration of the MacBroom family

Dalriadan families proliferated in North America. Their descendants still populate many communities in the eastern parts of both the United States and Canada. Some settled in Canada as United Empire Loyalists, in the wake of the American War of Independence. Families on both sides of the border have recovered much of their heritage in the 20th century through Clan societies and highland games. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name MacBroom or a variant listed above: Lough MacBrane settled in South Carolina in 1716; Patrick MacBraan settled in Pennsylvania in 1871.


Contemporary Notables of the name MacBroom (post 1700) +

  • John C. MacBroom, American Democratic Party politician, Member of Ohio State House of Representatives from Lucas County; Elected 1897 2


The MacBroom 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: Fortis ceu leo fidus
Motto Translation: As strong as a dependable lion.


  1. 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)
  2. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 12) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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