Brodess History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Etymology of Brodess

What does the name Brodess mean?

Brodess is a name whose history is entwined with the ancient Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It was a name for a stout person. The surname Brodess is derived from the Old English word brode, which means broad. This in turn is derived from the Old English word brad, which has the same meaning.

Early Origins of the Brodess family

The surname Brodess was first found in Cornwall in the parish of Helland. "The barton of Brodes or Broads, which appears to have been formerly possessed by a family of that name, was for some time subsequent to the reign of James I. a seat of a younger branch of the family of Glynn." 1

Early History of the Brodess family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Brodess research. Another 48 words (3 lines of text) covering the year 1233 is included under the topic Early Brodess History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Brodess Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Brodess were recorded, including Broad, Brod and others.

Early Notables of the Brodess family

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

Migration of the Brodess family

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Brodess family emigrate to North America: Mary Broad who settled in Virginia in 1738; Robert Broad settled in New England in 1773; Thomas Broad settled in Virginia in 1637.

Contemporary Notables of the name Brodess (post 1700) +

Henry Bishop Brodess (1830-1881), American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Kentucky, 1860; Mayor of Ashland, Kentucky, 1876-81 2

Sources +

Hutchins, Fortescue, The History of Cornwall, from the Earliest Records and Traditions to the Present Time. London: William Penaluna, 1824. Print
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, February 1) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html