Show ContentsBroadherst History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The ancestors of the Broadherst surname lived among the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. The name comes from when they lived in Cheshire where the name is derived from a now unknown place in the east of that county. The place-name Broadhurst is derived from the old English terms brade, which meant broad or wide, and hurst, a word that meant forest or wood. 1

Early Origins of the Broadherst family

The surname Broadherst was first found in Cheshire where "the Broadhursts have long been inhabitants of Prestbury and Gawsworth." 2 Alternatively, the name could have originated from "a manor in the parish of Horsted Keynes, co. Sussex" 3 or another source notes that the name was also "a location name in Lincolnshire." 4

Early History of the Broadherst family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Broadherst research. Another 41 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Broadherst History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Broadherst 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 Broadherst include Broadhurst, Brodhurst and others.

Early Notables of the Broadherst family

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

Migration of the Broadherst family

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: Joseph Broadhurst who arrived in Philadelphia in 1816. Abraham, Charles, George, John, Joseph, Samuel, Stephen, and Thomas Broadhurst all arrived in Philadelphia between 1845 and 1870..



The Broadherst 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: Sapere et tacere
Motto Translation: To be wise and silent.


  1. Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
  2. Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
  3. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  4. Barber, Henry, British Family Names London: Elliot Stock, 62 Paternoster Row, 1894. Print.


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