Show ContentsBrakespeare History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The earliest origins of the Brakespeare surname date from the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. Their name reveals that an early member was a person who is victor in a tournament or battle.

Early Origins of the Brakespeare family

The surname Brakespeare was first found in Hertfordshire at Breakspear College in Abbots Langley, Three Rivers, Hertfordshire which is now a Grade II Listed Building and thought to have originally been built c. 1770 as a rebuilding of an earlier house. The present name commemorates Nicholas Breakspear (c. 1100-1159), born in Abbots Langley, who, as Pope Adrian IV, became the only English Pope in 1154. (British Listed Buildings)

Gilbert Keith Chesterton (1874-1936) in his novel Manalive mentions the Warden of Brakespeare (Brikespeare) College, Cambridge University, but this is a fictional reference.

Early History of the Brakespeare family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Brakespeare research. Another 60 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Brakespeare History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Brakespeare Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Brakespeare are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Brakespeare include: Brakespear, Breakspear, Brakespeare, Breakspeare and others.

Early Notables of the Brakespeare family

Another 50 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Brakespeare Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Brakespeare family

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Brakespeare or a variant listed above: Jane Breakspeare who settled in New England in 1773.



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