Bracelant History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The many generations and branches of the Bracelant family can all place the origins of their surname with the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. Their name reveals that an early member worked as a maker of breech-girdles. The first portion of the surname is derived from the Old English word brec, which in turn comes from the Old French word braie, which means breeches. The second portion of the name comes from the Old English word gyrdel, which means girdle. 1

Early Origins of the Bracelant family

The surname Bracelant was first found in Cheshire. "The Bracegirdles were an old Cheadle family, one of the members being rector of Billing, Northamptonshire, in the reign of Elizabeth. The name is at present most at home in the Knutsford district, but is still to be found in Cheadle." 2

Early History of the Bracelant family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bracelant research. Another 130 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1541, 1556, 1560, 1569, 1613, 1620, 1649, 1663, 1748 and 1749 are included under the topic Early Bracelant History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bracelant Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Bracelant were recorded, including Bracegirdle, Bracegerdle, Brasgirdle and others.

Early Notables of the Bracelant family

Distinguished members of the family include John Bracegirdle (d. c. 1613), an English poet, supposed to have been a son of John Bracegirdle, vicar of Stratford-upon-Avon from 1560 to 1569. Anne Bracegirdle (1663?-1748), was one of the most popular and brilliant of English actresses, born about 1663, presumably in one of the midland counties. One source...
Another 55 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Bracelant Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Bracelant family

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Bracelant family emigrate to North America: John Bracegirdle, who settled in New England in 1774.

Citations +

Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.