Brock History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
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Today's generation of the Brock family bears a name that was brought to England by the migration wave that was started by the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Brock family lived in Essex. The name, however, derives from the family's former residence in Broc, in the area of Anjou, France. 1 Alternatively, the name could have been from the Saxon Broc, meaning a badger. "Broch, in Gaelic or Irish, Cornish-British and Welsh, all have the same meaning." 2

Early Origins of the Brock family

The surname Brock was first found in Essex where Ralph Broc was granted lands in Colchester in 1119, and it is thought he was invited to England to support the need for industrialists and trades people. 3

However, some of the family claim Great Oakley, Northampton as their ancient homestead. "Oakley Hall, the seat of Sir Arthur de Capell Broke, Bart., is a picturesque specimen of an old English manor-house. Sir Arthur is lord of the manor, and possesses a right of free warren, granted shortly after the Conquest. The collection of family deeds is one of the finest and most curious in the kingdom, and in beautiful preservation; the dates of some of them are not much later than William I.'s reign. " 4

Ancient rolls include older spellings of the name and some of the first records of the family's holdings. The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 listed: Gilbert le Brok, Oxfordshire; Henry le Brok, Devon; Walter le Broc, Gloucestershire; Laurence del Broc, Hertfordshire; Joceus de la Brok, Kent; Geoffrey de la Brok, Kent; and William del Brok, Essex. 5

Kirby's Quest listed Robert le Brokk, Somerset, 1 Edward III; and William le Broc, Somerset, 1 Edward III (during the first year's reign of King Edward III.) 6

Robert le Broc and Ranulph de Broc were listed in the Rotuli de Oblatis et Finibus, King John. 7

Much further to the north in Scotland, there is a Brock in East Renfrewshire and one of the first records there was Henry Brok who had provision of a canonry and prebend of Dunkeld in 1328. 8

Early History of the Brock family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Brock research. Another 255 words (18 lines of text) covering the years 1214, 1220, 1275, 1504, 1539, 1554, 1611, 1619, 1625, 1663, 1687, 1708, 1727, 1739, 1755, 1769 and 1812 are included under the topic Early Brock History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Brock Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, Norman French and other languages became incorporated into English throughout the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Brock include Broc, Brock, Brocke, Brockes, Brocks, Brock, Brockx, Broch and many more.

Early Notables of the Brock family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was

Brock Ranking

In the United States, the name Brock is the 451st most popular surname with an estimated 62,175 people with that name. 9

Migration of the Brock family to Ireland

Some of the Brock family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Brock migration to the United States +

In England at this time, the uncertainty of the political and religious environment of the time caused many families to board ships for distant British colonies in the hopes of finding land and opportunity, and escaping persecution. The voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, though, and many arrived in North America sick, starved, and destitute. Those who did make it, however, were greeted with greater opportunities and freedoms that they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make important contributions to the young nations in which they settled. Early immigration records have shown some of the first Brocks to arrive on North American shores:

Brock Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
Brock Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Brock Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
Brock Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Brock migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Brock Settlers in Canada in the 17th Century
Brock Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Brock migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Brock Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Brock migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Brock Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Brock migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 22
Brock Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Brock (post 1700) +


The Brock 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: Virescit vulnere virtus
Motto Translation: Courage grows stronger at the wound.


Suggested Readings for the name Brock +
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