Brabbazon History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

Brabbazon is a name that was carried to England in the great wave of migration from Normandy following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Brabbazon family lived in the county of Kent. The family name originates in the taken duchy of Brabant in Normandy, it is from the local that the village and parish of Braborne is named. Typically then the name was used by locals of the Brabant area. Their castle was called Brabacon. 1

In Normandy the surname had come to be associated with mercenary-style soldiering, and the family was renowned as valiant fighters, particularly in William the Conqueror's army at the Battle of Hastings.

Another source claims that they assumed their surname from the Castle of Brabazon, in Normandy and it was Jaques Le Brabason, nicknamed the Great Warrior who came to the aid of William the Conqueror in his conquest of England and consequently appears on the Roll of Battle Abbey. 2

"John le Brabason, son of the Norman, fixed his residence at Betchworth, in Surrey, and was living in the reigns of Henry I. and Henry II. From him derived the Brabazons of Eaatwell, in Leicestershire, of whom was John le Brabazon, of Eastwell, slain at the Battle of Bosworth." 2

Early Origins of the Brabbazon family

The surname Brabbazon was first found in Surrey and Kent where they settled at Bletchworth in Surrey and Braborne in Kent. They were from the village and Castle of Brabancon in Flanders, their profession, professional soldiers.

Roger Le Barabazon (d. 1317), was an early English judge, "descended from an ancient family of Normandy. The name is variously spelt Brabaçon, Brabançon, and Brabanson, and was originally given to one of the roving bands of mercenaries common in the Middle Ages. " 3

Early History of the Brabbazon family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Brabbazon research. Another 99 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1172, 1552, 1580, 1625, 1645, 1651, 1682, 1684, 1685, 1686, 1688, 1691, 1715, 1737, 1751, 1763, 1772 and 1977 are included under the topic Early Brabbazon History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Brabbazon Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, Norman French and other languages became incorporated into English throughout the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Brabbazon include Brabasson, Brabazon, Brabauzon, Barbazaun and others.

Early Notables of the Brabbazon family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Sir William Brabazon (d. 1552), Vice-Treasurer and Lord Justice of Ireland, descended from the family of Roger le Brabazon; Sir Edward Brabazon, 1st Baron Ardee (d. 1625), who represented County Wicklow in the Irish House of Commons and served as High Sheriff...
Another 50 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Brabbazon Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Brabbazon family to Ireland

Some of the Brabbazon family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 103 words (7 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Brabbazon family

In England at this time, the uncertainty of the political and religious environment of the time caused many families to board ships for distant British colonies in the hopes of finding land and opportunity, and escaping persecution. The voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, though, and many arrived in North America sick, starved, and destitute. Those who did make it, however, were greeted with greater opportunities and freedoms that they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make important contributions to the young nations in which they settled. Early immigration records have shown some of the first Brabbazons to arrive on North American shores: Barnabas Brabazon settled in Barbados and Jamaica in the year 1700.

The Brabbazon 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: Vota vita mea
Motto Translation: Prayers are my life.

Citations +

The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
Burke, John Bernard, The Roll of Battle Abbey. London: Edward Churton, 26, Holles Street, 1848, Print.
Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print