Surname Broke - Meaning and Origin
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Broke: What does the surname Broke mean?
The last name Broke is of English origin. Derived from an Old French word meaning “broken,” it was a topographic surname given to someone who lived in a location where “the land had been broken up.”
The Broke family name is most likely derived from the Old Norse name of Brekka, or broken. This was likely a reference to someone living on a piece of land that had been quality for agriculture, either through spade digging or ploughs. This would have indicated a location with good farming potential, hence the surname being adopted and passed down through generations.
In England, the surname Broke was first recorded in the 12th century in Suffolk, where there was a prominent family of that name. Today, there are several spelling variations of the surname including Brooke, Brookes, Brooks, and Bruck.
Notable Figures who share this surname include the actress and singer Charlotte Brooke, the English politician Sir Edward Brooke, and the physicist George Alfred Brookes. The last name is associated with a long and proud history, representative of a community of people who achieved success despite often facing formidable obstacles.
Order DNA origin analysisBroke: Where does the name Broke come from?
The surname Broke is most commonly associated with English origins, and can be found in many parts of the United Kingdom today. For example, the last name is ranked in the top 1000 surnames in England and Wales. It can also be found in Scotland, with data collected by the General Register Office for Scotland showing it ranks in the top 2000.
Outside of the UK, the surname Broke can also be common in countries with ties to the British Isles, due to immigration and other population movement. The United States is one such country, and according to US Census Bureau statistics, the surname is common in states like Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Virginia. There are also significant numbers in Canada, particularly Ontario, where it ranks among the top 200 surnames.
For Australians of British descent, the last name Broke is also present, with figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics showing it ranks among the top 5000 surnames in the country. Lastly, there may be a significant presence in New Zealand, although data in this regard is more scarce.
Overall, the surname Broke is somewhat common today, with many people of British descent bearing the name in countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. It can also be found in many parts of the United Kingdom itself.
Variations of the surname Broke
The surname Broke has several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. It is possible that this name originated from either a place or a locative surname.
One variant of the surname is Brookes, and this can be seen in records from the Middle Ages. The spelling Broke is also an old variation of the name. Other possible variants include Brook, Brooker, Broker and Brookman.
Some surnames related to the Broke name are Brookey (also spelt Brooky and Brooky), Brookeridge, and Broxall. Brooke is the most common related name to Broke, found in many records from the 1800s. Other related names include Brook-Jones, Brookman-Sturgess and Brooklea.
There are also a few spelling variants of the Brooke name, such as Broom and Broome. The French form of this surname is le Broc, while Broco is the Italian form. Additionally, the German forms of the surname are Brock, Broch and Brokemann.
Overall, there are many variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Broke. The most common variant is Brooke, followed by Broom, Broom and Brophy. No matter the formulation, the name remains of the same origin.
Famous people with the name Broke
- Deborah Broke: British actress from the 1980s who featured in television shows such as "The Professionals".
- William David Broke: British naval officer and explorer who commanded a ship in the first voyage of James Cook.
- Vincent Broke: Australian farmer and businessman who founded the Broken Hill Proprietary Company which later merged with BHP Billiton.
- James Broke: Welsh historian and politician who served as MP for Monmouthshire and wrote "The History of Monmouthshire".
- John Broke: English landowner during the Elizabethan era who was burned at the stake for his Catholic faith.
- Edward Broke: English baronet and politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1768 to 1789.
- Sir Theophilus Broke: English lawyer and judge who served as Chief Baron of the Exchequer from 1774 to 1780.
- Harry Broke:Canadian lawyer and politician who served in the Canadian legislature in the early 20th century.
- Alexander Broke: British paddle steamer captain and entrance keeper at Darlington during the 19th century.
- John Broke-Smith: English painter and illustrator who was best known for his images of ships and seascapes.