Brandis History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

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Those lands along the southeast coast of the Baltic sea were the birthplace of the great Prussian name Brandis. A single name was, at one time, all that people needed. However, increasing ease of travel and the burgeoning populations forced people to adopt a hereditary surname to set themselves apart from others. A common form of surname found in Prussia was the local name, a name taken on from an existing place-name. The surname Brandis was first used by someone who lived in Brandenburg-Prussia, which is essentially the birthplace of modern Germany. By the 19th century, Brandenburg-Prussia had incorporated East Prussia, West Prussia and many other German territories. Moreover, in the late 19th century, it led the German states in the unification of Germany.

Early Origins of the Brandis family

The surname Brandis was first found in Prussia, where the name Brandis was closely identified in early mediaeval times with the feudal society of early European history. The name would later emerge as a noble family with great influence, having many distinguished branches, and become noted for its involvement in social, economic and political affairs.

Early History of the Brandis family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Brandis research. Another 61 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Brandis History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Brandis Spelling Variations

In the medieval era, many different cultural groups lived in the German states. There are thus many regional variations of German surnames from that era. Westphalians spoke Low German, which is similar to modern Dutch. Many German names carry suffixes that identify where they came from. Others have phrases attached that identify something about the original bearer. Other variations in German names resulted from the fact that medieval scribes worked without the aid of any spelling rules. The spelling variations of the name Brandis include Brandis, Branddis, Brandiss, Brandisse, Branddisse, Branndis, Braendis, Brendis, Braenddis, Brenddis, Braendiss, Brendiss, Braendisse, Brendisse, Braenddisse, Brenddisse, Braenndis and many more.

Early Notables of the Brandis family

Notable figures of the time with the name Brandis were

the Brandis family of Prussia

Brandis migration to the United States +

Prussia played an extremely influential role in shaping modern German history. It remained a part of Germany until after the Second World War. Prussia was divided among the Soviet Union, Poland, East Germany and West Germany. Many Prussians became residents of these new countries after the War, and many migrated to other parts of Germany or Europe, as well as to North America. In the United States, the majority of settlers landed in Philadelphia, and moved on to Ohio, Texas, Illinois, California, New York, and Maryland. Many German settlers also migrated to Canada, particularly to Ontario and the Prairies. Amongst the settlers in North America with this distinguished name Brandis were

Brandis Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Carl Brandis, who arrived in Texas in 1845 1
Herm Brandis, who landed in Texas in 1845 1
Carl Brandis, who settled in Texas in 1846
Theodore Brandis, who arrived in Texas in 1854 1
L. Brandis, who arrived in San Francisco in 1875
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Brandis migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Brandis Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

George Brandis, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Eden" in 1838 2
Ann Brandis, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Eden" in 1838 2
James Brandis, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Eden" in 1838 2
Harriett Brandis, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Eden" in 1838 2

Contemporary Notables of the name Brandis (post 1700) +

Jonathan Gregory Brandis, American film and television actor
Richard W. Brandis, American politician, Mayor of Bend, Oregon, 1953-54 3
Thomas Brandis (1935-2017), German violinist, chamber music performer, pedagogue and concertmaster of the Berlin Philharmonic
Mark Brandis (1931-2000), German science fiction writer and journalist
Sir Dietrich Brandis (1824-1907), German forester considered the father of tropical forestry
Christian August Brandis, German philologist and historian of philosophy
George Brandis (b. 1957), Australian, Senator for Queensland, Minister for Arts and Sport
Marianne Brandis (b. 1938), Canadian (Netherlands born) Children's author and illustrator

Citations +

Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) EDEN 1838. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1838Eden.htm
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 26) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html