Brakspear is a name of Anglo-Saxon origin. It was a name given to a person who is victor in a tournament or battle.
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Early Origins of the Brakspear family
The surname Brakspear 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.
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Early History of the Brakspear family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Brakspear research. Another 60 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Brakspear History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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Brakspear 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 Brakspear were recorded, including Brakespear, Breakspear, Brakespeare, Breakspeare and others.
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Early Notables of the Brakspear family
Another 50 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Brakspear Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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Migration of the Brakspear 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 Brakspear family emigrate to North America: Jane Breakspeare who settled in New England in 1773.
England
