Show ContentsBrodeack History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The present generation of the Brodeack family is only the most recent to bear a name that dates back to the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. Their name comes from having lived by a large, broad oak tree. The surname is derived from the Old English words brad, which means broad, and ac, which means oak.

Early Origins of the Brodeack family

The surname Brodeack was first found in Kent where one of the first records of the name was Geoffrey Brodhok who was listed there in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273. Thomas del Brodok was listed a few years later in the Assize Rolls of 1282 and later Thomas Broddock was listed in the Nonarum Inquisitiones for Essex in 1341. 1

One source notes that Braddock of Broadoak is a parish, in the union of Liskeard, hundred of West, E. division of Cornwall and some of the family originated there. 2

Braddock, Bradock or Broadoak is a parish in the hundred of West, Cornwall. "This parish was taxed in Doomsday under its present name; 'which, if it be single,' says Hals, 'signifies a rebel or traitor; one that betrays the trust or fidelity reposed in him by another; otherwise, if it be compounded of Brad-ock or Brod-ock, it signifies broad trees of oak.' - Saxon. " 3

Early History of the Brodeack family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Brodeack research. Another 84 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1623, 1643, 1656, 1660, 1672, 1679, 1680, 1695, 1700, 1719 and 1755 are included under the topic Early Brodeack History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Brodeack Spelling Variations

Until the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Brodeack include Braddock, Braddick, Braddocke and others.

Early Notables of the Brodeack family

Distinguished members of the family include Sir Allen Brodrick (1623-1680), an English politician who sat in the House of Commons between 1660 and 1679; and John Braddocke (1656-1719), an English divine from Shropshire. John Braddocke (1656-1719), was an English divine, a native of Shropshire, and received his education at St. Catharine's Hall, Cambridge. General Edward...
Another 53 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Brodeack Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Brodeack family

Thousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in England at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Brodeack were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records: Nathan Braddock who settled in Virginia in 1635; Nicholas Braddon, who came to America in 1685; James Braddick, who arrived in Virginia in 1704; Henry Braddock was a bonded passenger, who arrived in America in 1739.



  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  2. Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
  3. Hutchins, Fortescue, The History of Cornwall, from the Earliest Records and Traditions to the Present Time. London: William Penaluna, 1824. Print


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