Show ContentsBransom History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The roots of the Anglo-Saxon name Bransom come from when the family resided in one of several similarly-named settlements. Places called Branston were found in the counties of Leicester, Lincolnshire, and Staffordshire. The settlement of Brandeston was found in Suffolk. Brandiston was in Norfolk, while places called Braunston existed in Leicester and Northamptonshire.

Early Origins of the Bransom family

The surname Bransom was first found in Yorkshire, where they held a family seat from ancient times.

Early History of the Bransom family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bransom research. Another 171 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1379, 1500, 1568, 1623 and 1708 are included under the topic Early Bransom History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bransom Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries; therefore,spelling variations are common among early Anglo-Saxon names. As the form of the English language changed, even the spelling of literate people's names evolved. Bransom has been recorded under many different variations, including Branson, Bransone, Bransom, Brandson, Bransoun and many more.

Early Notables of the Bransom family

More information is included under the topic Early Bransom Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Canada Bransom migration to Canada +

For many English families, the political and religious disarray that shrouded England made the far away New World an attractive prospect. On cramped disease-ridden ships, thousands migrated to those British colonies that would eventually become Canada and the United States. Those hardy settlers that survived the journey often went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Bransom or a variant listed above:

Bransom Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Mr. Ely Bransom U.E. who settled in Saint John, New Brunswick c. 1783 1

Contemporary Notables of the name Bransom (post 1700) +

  • Paul Bransom (1885-1979), American illustrator of animals, a painter, and a cartoonist, known for his covers for the Saturday Evening Post and his work on Grahame's The Wind in the Willows for which he received the Benjamin West Clinedinst Memorial Medal


The Bransom 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: Dum spiro spero
Motto Translation: While I have breath, I hope.


  1. Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X


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