Show ContentsBrache History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Bavaria, one of the oldest and largest of the German states, is the birthplace of the Brache family. After the 12th century, hereditary surnames were adopted according to fairly general rules. Names derived from occupations were particularly common in this region. Brache is an occupational surname for master of hunting dogs. Further research showed the name was derived from the German word bracke. The surname Brache was also a nickname for a person that resembled a hunting dog. Moreover, the surname Brache is a nickname for a boisterous person, which is derived from the German word braht, which means loud or noise.

Early Origins of the Brache family

The surname Brache was first found in Bavaria, where this distinguished family contributed greatly to the development of an emerging nation.

Early History of the Brache family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Brache research. Another 90 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1637 and 1742 are included under the topic Early Brache History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Brache Spelling Variations

Many cultural groups lived in the German states in medieval times. Each had its own dialect and traditions, and unique variations of popular names. Low German, which is similar to contemporary Dutch, was spoken in Westphalia. German names are characterized by additions such as regional suffixes and phrases that tell something about the origin or background of its original bearer. Further contributing to the variation in German names was the fact that there were no spelling rules in medieval times: scribes recorded names according to their sound. The recorded spelling variations of Brache include Brack, Bracke, Brach, Brache, Brak, Brakk, Brakke, Bracken, Brakken, Brachen, Bracker, Brakker, Bracher, Brackner, Brakkner, Brachner, Brackel, Brackell, Brachel, Brachell, Brakkel and many more.

Early Notables of the Brache family

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


United States Brache migration to the United States +

Thousands of German settlers came to North America between the mid-17th and mid-20th centuries. The hardships of the long voyage were balanced by the opportunity to escape poverty and religious persecution. The descendents of these settlers still populate the states of Pennsylvania, Texas, New York, Illinois, and California. Many also live in Ontario and the prairie provinces of Canada. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Brache or a variant listed above:

Brache Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Gustave Brache, aged 42, originally from Smay, Belgium, who arrived in New York, N. Y. in 1919 aboard the ship "Espagne" from Le Havre, France 1
  • Arthur Brache, aged 11, originally from Smay, Belgium, who arrived in New York, N. Y. in 1919 aboard the ship "Espagne" from Le Havre, France 1

Contemporary Notables of the name Brache (post 1700) +

  • Marcel Girard Brache (b. 1987), American-born, South African rugby union player


  1. Ellis Island Search retrieved 15th November 2022. Retrieved from https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-result


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