The Brodies are an ancient Pictish family from Moray and they are connected with Scotland's earliest kings. Robert the Bruce gave lands to Michael, Thane of Brodie, in 1311, just before the Battle of Bannockburn. In 1640, the fanatically Presbyterian Alexander Brodie of Brodie led an attack on Elgin Cathedral, destroying many fine paintings and carvings. In revenge, Lord Lewis Gordon burned down Brodie Castle.

Factual history on the clan is scarce since in 1645 all records were destroyed when Brodie Castle, near Forres was burned by Lord Lewis Gordon in the Covenanting conflict. Despite this the family have always been prominent in both local and national affairs. Alexander Brodie of Brodie was appointed Lord Lyon King of Arms in 1727 and throughout the long history of the family there has been connections through marriage with many of Scotland's greatest families.

Brodie Castle, now restored, is the seat of the clan chief. One member of the family who is famed for his notorious and evil character is Deacon William Brodie who lived in Edinburgh in the 18th century, and was respectable by day, but by night, a thief, in the end he was hanged by a mechanism of his own devising in 1788.