The name Brabbeck comes from the German region of Westphalia. The tradition of adopting hereditary surnames came to Germany after the 12th century, and the names of places where people lived were a primary source. Many local names carry the prefix "von", meaning "of" or "from". It originally indicated land ownership, and is sometimes a mark of nobility. The Brabbeck family originally lived in the duchy of Brabant, which was in what is now Belgium and the Southern Netherlands.
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Early Origins of the Brabbeck family
The surname Brabbeck was first found in Westphalia, where the name could be considered to make a great early contribution to the feudal society which became the backbone of early development of Europe. The name became prominent in local affairs and branched into many houses which played important roles in the savage tribal and national conflicts, each group seeking power and status in an ever changing territorial profile.
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Early History of the Brabbeck family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Brabbeck research. Another 169 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1256, 1688, 1702, 1776 and 1803 are included under the topic Early Brabbeck History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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Brabbeck 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 Brabbeck include Brabeck, Brabbeck, Brabech, Brabeche, Brabek, Brabeke, Brabekke and many more.
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Early Notables of the Brabbeck family
Another 48 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Brabbeck Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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Migration of the Brabbeck family
For many Germans, emigration to North America was an inviting alternative to the trials of life in the old country. From the mid-17th into the present century, thousands of Germans migrated across the Atlantic. They capitalized on the chance to escape poverty and persecution, and to own their own land. After 1650, Germans settled throughout the states of Pennsylvania, Texas, New York, Illinois, and California. Many also landed in Canada, settling in Ontario or father west on the rich land of the prairies. Among them: Mardi Brabeckh, who arrived in Philadelphia in 1749. Heinrich Brabek came to Philadelphia in 1749.
Germany
