Coat of Arms & Family Crests Store
 Broadnax Coat of Arms / Broadnax Family CrestThe name was originally a Russian nickname from the Old Russian word BORODA, meaning beard. In Eastern Europe clean-shaveness was in fashion from the 12th to 16th centuries except among Jews, so bearded men stood out as exceptional. Among Jewish men, on the other hand, beards were the norm, and someone who was beardless stood out, hence the East Ashkenazic surname. The name has spread widely in many forms and has been changed to many spellings which include BORODIN, BEZBORODKO, BRODEWICZ, BRODNIEWICZ, BORODNAK, BRADATY and BORODA. Russian surnames are almost exclusively patronymic (occasionally metronymic) in form, usually ending in 'ov' or 'ev'. Habitation and topographic names are rare, and many common Russian surnames are polygenetic, and their literal meaning is clear, even though the reason for their adoption may not be. A notable member of the name was Alexander Porphyrevich BORODIN (l833-l837) Russian composer and scientist, an illegitimate son of Prince Gedeanov, who registered him as the child of a serf. Although Borodin showed a precocious aptitude for music, beginning to compose at the age of nine, he was trained for medicine and distinguished himself as a chemist. His first systematic musical studies were undertaken in l862, under Balakirev, who conducted his First Symphony in l869. From l872, Borodin lectured on chemistry at the St. Petersburg School of Medicine for Women. His compositions include the unfinished opera, Prince Igor, three symphonies, the last of which was also left unfinished, and the symphonic sketch In the Steppes of Central Asia. Heraldry appeared later in Russia than in most other Western European countries. It is generally agreed that it was copied from the west sometime in the late 17th century, and quickly achieved state significance. In 1722 Emperor Peter I (The Great) established an official Heraldry Office headed by a Master of Heraldry under the jurisdiction of the Senate. The eagle depicted in the crest is emblematical of fortitude and magnanimity of mind. The Romans used the figure of an eagle for their ensign, and their example has been often followed. It is the device of Russia, Austria, Germany and the United States of America. |
