Bramah History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland
Scotland

The Anglo-Saxon name Bramah comes from when the family resided in Bramhall in Greater Manchester. Bromale was a township in the parish of Stockport.

Early Origins of the Bramah family

The surname Bramah was first found in Greater Manchester where the place dates back to at least the Domesday Book where it is listed as Bramale (Bromale.) 1 In more recent years, the township is known as Bramhall and is found in the parish and union of Stockport, hundred of Macclesfield, Chester.

"The manorial mansion is a curious edifice of timber and brick plastered over; it stands on elevated ground, and possesses great interest, as part of the wooden building is supposed to date as far back as the reign of John. At the south-east angle is the domestic chapel, apparently of the time of Richard III., having a flat panelled roof, and a considerable quantity of painted glass in the windows." 2

The place name literally means "nook of land where broom grows" derived from the Old English words "brom" + "halh" 3.

The first record of the family was listed in the source, Earwaker's East Cheshire where Mathew de Bromale was listed as holding lands in Cheshire, temp. 1150. 4

Some of the family has Scottish roots as noted by Broomhall Castle, built in 1874, located in Menstrie, Clackmannanshire, Scotland. It is still in good condition and today is in use as a hotel.

Early History of the Bramah family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bramah research. Another 123 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1502, 1594, 1595, 1602, 1616, 1628, 1633, 1635, 1639, 1642, 1644, 1653, 1654, 1659, 1660, 1661, 1662, 1663, 1664, 1666 and 1781 are included under the topic Early Bramah History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bramah Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries; therefore,spelling variations are common among early Anglo-Saxon names. As the form of the English language changed, even the spelling of literate people's names evolved. Bramah has been recorded under many different variations, including Bramhall, Bramall, Bramhill, Brammall, Bramwell and others.

Early Notables of the Bramah family

Notables of the family at this time include John Bramhall, Mayor of Pontefract in 1502; and John Bramhall (1594 -1663) an Anglican theologian and apologist, Archbishop of Armagh, Primate of All Ireland. He was born in Pontefract...
Another 37 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Bramah Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Bramah family to Ireland

Some of the Bramah family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 250 words (18 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bramah migration to the United States +

For many English families, the political and religious disarray that shrouded England made the far away New World an attractive prospect. On cramped disease-ridden ships, thousands migrated to those British colonies that would eventually become Canada and the United States. Those hardy settlers that survived the journey often went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Bramah or a variant listed above:

Bramah Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

J. F. Bramah, aged 35, who immigrated to the United States, in 1892

Bramah Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Beatrice Bramah, aged 20, who immigrated to the United States from London, in 1903
Lily N. Bramah, aged 33, who immigrated to America from Liverpool, England, in 1910
Arthur Bramah, aged 11, who landed in America from Liverpool, England, in 1910
James A. Bramah, aged 70, who landed in America from New Zealand, in 1911
Percy Bramah, aged 34, who landed in America, in 1919
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Bramah (post 1700) +

Joseph Bramah (1749-1814), English inventor, best known for having invented the hydraulic press 5
Martin Bramah (b. 1957), British musician

The Bramah Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Sanguine Christe tuo
Motto Translation: By Thy Blood O' Christ.

Citations +

Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Wikisource contributors. "Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900." Wikisource . Wikisource , 4 Jun. 2018. Web. 5 Feb. 2019