Show ContentsBrougman History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

A family of Strathclyde-Briton were the first to use the name Brougman. They lived in Galloway in the southwest of Scotland. The Rhiged lived in what later became the northern English counties of Cumberland, Westmorland, and Lancashire.

Early Origins of the Brougman family

The surname Brougman was first found in Westmorland, at Brougham Castle a medieval building about 2 miles (3.2 km) south-east of Penrith in what is now known as Cumbria. “The De Burghams held it temp. Edward the Confessor.” 1 This castle was built on an ancient Roman fort named Brocavum and was originally at the intersection of three Roman roads.

Early History of the Brougman family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Brougman research. Another 83 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1050, 1665, 1698, 1778, 1780, 1833 and 1868 are included under the topic Early Brougman History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Brougman Spelling Variations

In the era before dictionaries, there were no rules governing the spelling or translation of names or any other words. Consequently, there are an enormous number of spelling variations in Medieval Scottish names. Brougman has appeared as Brougham, Bruham, Browham and others.

Early Notables of the Brougman family

Notable amongst the family at this time was Henry Brougham (1665-1698), an English divine from Scales Hall, Cumberland. He was one of the twelve children of Henry Brougham of Scales Hall, Cumberland, sheriff for the county in the 6th of William III. 2 Henry Peter Brougham...
Another 44 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Brougman Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Brougman family to Ireland

Some of the Brougman family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 32 words (2 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Brougman family

The freedom, opportunity, and land of the North American colonies beckoned. There, Scots found a place where they were generally free from persecution and where they could go on to become important players in the birth of new nations. Some fought in the American War of Independence, while others went north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. The ancestors of all of these Scottish settlers have been able to recover their lost national heritage in the last century through highland games and Clan societies in North America. Among them: George Brougham who settled in Maryland in 1774; Mrs. Brougham arrived in San Francisco California in 1852.



The Brougman 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: Pro rege lege grege
Motto Translation: For King, the law, and the people.


  1. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  2. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print


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