Braley History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Early Origins of the Braley family

The surname Braley was first found in Worcestershire where Walter de Brayly was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of 1275. Much later, John Brailey and William Brayley were found in Devon in 1642. And it is here that one source claims the name is from Brayley Barton in East Buckland. 1

This place name dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086 when it was known as Bredelia. 2 In 1166, it was known as Brailega, but by 1242 Braylegh was the preferred entry for the place name in ancient rolls. Literally, the place name means "clearing by the river Bray." 3

Early History of the Braley family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Braley research. Another 83 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1455, 1487, 1642, 1771, 1773, 1801, 1802, 1825, 1854, 1857 and 1870 are included under the topic Early Braley History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Braley Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Brayly, Braylie, Bralie, Braily, Brulye, Bralye, Braille, Braile, Brealey and many more.

Early Notables of the Braley family

Distinguished members of the family include Edward Wedlake Brayley, the Elder (1773-1854), English topographer and archæologist, born in the parish of Lambeth, Surrey, in 1773, who was apprenticed to one of the most eminent practitioners of the art of enamelling in the metropolis. Before the term of his indentures had expired he became acquainted with John Britton, 1771-1857, whom he used to meet at the shop of Mr. Essex in Clerkenwell. Both the young men had literary and artistic tastes and aspirations, and longed to emancipate themselves from the mechanical pursuits in which they were engaged. They formed a close friendship...
Another 259 words (18 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Braley Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Braley Ranking

In the United States, the name Braley is the 7,625^th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 4

Braley migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Braley Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

E. W. Braley, who immigrated to the United States, in 1892
Laura J. Braley, aged 28, who immigrated to the United States from Bristol, in 1897

Braley Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Cora Braley, aged 34, who landed in America, in 1903
John Braley, aged 36, who landed in America from London, in 1904
Cleve Braley, aged 25, who immigrated to America, in 1905
Alice Almira Braley, aged 29, who settled in America, in 1907
Alfred Cecil Braley, aged 30, who immigrated to the United States from London, England, in 1908
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Braley (post 1700) +

Berton Braley (1882-1966), American poet, contributor to Forbes magazine, Harper's Magazine, Atlantic Monthly, and the Saturday Evening Post
Steven Braley (b. 1953), American golfer
David Osborn Braley OC (1941-2020), Canadian owner of the BC Lions, Toronto Argonauts and Hamilton Tiger-Cats, appointed to the Senate of Canada in 2010 as a Conservative
Bruce Braley (b. 1957), American politician, US Democratic Congressman for Iowa's first Congressional District (2007-2015)

Citations +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/