| ![Show Contents]() Brocke History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
Brocke is a name that came to England in the 11th century wave of migration that was set off by the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Brocke 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 Brocke familyThe surname Brocke 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 Brocke familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Brocke 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 Brocke History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Brocke Spelling VariationsThe English language only became standardized in the last few centuries. For that reason, spelling variations are common among many Anglo-Norman names. The shape of the English language was frequently changed with the introduction of elements of Norman French, Latin, and other European languages; even the spelling of literate people's names were subsequently modified. Brocke has been recorded under many different variations, including Broc, Brock, Brocke, Brockes, Brocks, Brock, Brockx, Broch and many more. Early Notables of the Brocke familyOutstanding amongst the family at this time was Marianus Brockie, D.D. (1687-1755), a Scottish Benedictine monk. He was "born at Edinburgh on 2 Dec. 1687, and joined the Scotch Benedictines at Ratisbon in 1708. He was doctor...
Another 37 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Brocke Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.  Migration of the Brocke family to Ireland
Some of the Brocke 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.
| Brocke migration to the United States | + |
To escape the uncertainty of the political and religious uncertainty found in England, many English families boarded ships at great expense to sail for the colonies held by Britain. The passages were expensive, though, and the boats were unsafe, overcrowded, and ridden with disease. Those who were hardy and lucky enough to make the passage intact were rewarded with land, opportunity, and social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families went on to be important contributors to the young nations of Canada and the United States where they settled. Brockes were some of the first of the immigrants to arrive in North America:
Brocke Settlers in United States in the 17th Century- John Brocke, aged 19, who arrived in Virginia in 1619 aboard the ship "Bona Nova" 9
- William Brocke, who arrived in Virginia in 1623 9
- Richard Brocke, aged 31, who arrived in New England in 1635 9
Brocke Settlers in United States in the 19th Century- Henry Brocke, who landed in Indiana in 1852 9
- John Brocke, who arrived in Virginia in 1884 9
| Contemporary Notables of the name Brocke (post 1700) | + |
- Jürgen Brocke, German fighter pilot and flying ace in the Luftwaffe, during World War II, credited with 42 aerial victories, awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
| Historic Events for the Brocke family | + |
Bismarck - Rudolf Brocke (1915-1941), German Oberbootsmaat who served aboard the German Battleship Bismarck during World War II when it was sunk heading to France; he died in the sinking 10
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.
- The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
- Arthur, William , An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. London: 1857. Print
- Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
- Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
- Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
- Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
- Barber, Henry, British Family Names London: Elliot Stock, 62 Paternoster Row, 1894. Print.
- 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)
- Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
- Bismarck & Tirpitz Class - Crew List Bismarck. (Retrieved 2018, February 06). Retrieved from https://www.bismarck-class.dk/bismarck/crew/bismarck_crew.html#crew_details
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Brocke migration to the United States 
England
Germany
Ireland
Scotland
