| Brogdan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
England Etymology of BrogdanWhat does the name Brogdan mean? Of all the Anglo-Saxon names to come from Britain, Brogdan is one of the most ancient. The name is a result of the original family having lived in the township of Brogden, in the West Riding of Yorkshire. The place-name appears originally as Brokden, which means valley of the brook. The surname, then, meant dweller in the valley of the brook. 1 Early Origins of the Brogdan familyThe surname Brogdan was first found in Yorkshire, where Dionisius Brokden was listed as a Freeman of York in 1470. Later, William a Borkeden was listed in the Subsidy Rolls for Sussex in 1525 and John Brogden was another Freeman of York in 1597. 2 The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 include Cristiana de Boroghden as holding lands there at that time. Much later, the Corpus Christi Guild (Surtees Society) included an entry for William Brockden, Yorkshire. 3 Early History of the Brogdan familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Brogdan research. Another 147 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1379, 1470, 1525, 1579, 1597, 1680, 1687, 1689, 1741 and 1769 are included under the topic Early Brogdan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Brogdan Spelling VariationsThe first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Brogdan has been spelled many different ways, including Brogden, Boroghden, Brokden, Brokeden, Brogdon, Brockden and many more. Early Notables of the Brogdan familyMore information is included under the topic Early Brogdan Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Brogdan familyThousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Brogdans to arrive in North America: John Brogden who sailed to Virginia in 1623 and Richard Brogden who arrived in Maryland in 1669.
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: Constans et fidelis Motto Translation: Steady and faithful.
- Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
- Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
- Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
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