Bramton History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The ancestors of the Bramton surname lived among the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. The name comes from when they lived in one of the settlements named Brampton, which were found in the counties of Cumberland, Derbyshire, Herefordshire, Huntingdonshire, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Northamptonshire, Suffolk, Westmorland (now part of Cumbria), and the West Riding of Yorkshire.

Brompton literally means the "Broom Enclosure or Farm" from the Old English brom + tun, while Brampton literally means the "Bramble Enclosure or Farmstead" from the Old English bram + tun. 1

Early Origins of the Bramton family

The surname Bramton was first found in Norfolk where they held estates as far back as 1205, when Geoffery Brompton at that time. 2

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 listed Peter de Brampton in Derbyshire; Hugh de Brompton in Huntingdonshire; Geoffrey de Bampton, Huntingdonshire; Brian de Brampton, Gloucestershire; Alan de Bramtone, Cambridgeshire; and William de Brampton, Oxfordshire. 3

The Placita de Quo Warranto, temp. Edward I-III listed Bryan de Brumpton, Herefordshire and Adam de Brumpton, Salop (Shropshire) 20 Edward I (during the twentieth year of King Edward I's reign.) 3

Moving to the south in Devon, we found this interesting entry about the Braunton variant which we include in full: Across the Taw lies Braunton, presumably derived from Brannock's ' tun,' Brannock being the patron saint; and the legend of the foundation of the church averring that he was directed to build it where he next saw a sow and her litter, in witness whereof sow and farrows are to be seen duly carven on a boss. Legend further affirms that he obtained the timber from a forest which then grew upon the site of the sandy waste fringing the Taw, now known as Braunton Burrows, and drew it to the spot by deer. And it would be a remarkable coincidence if the remains had not suggested the tradition that a submerged forest does exist in Barnstaple Bay near the point indicated, and that cervine bones and antlers have been found therein. On the cliffs at Croyde, hard by, flint chips are so numerous as to indicate the existence there of a prehistoric implement-manufactory." 4

Interestingly, the name Rampton, typically found in Cambridgeshire and Nottinghamshire is a 13th century variant of the name appearing at that time as Ramtune in Cambridgeshire. 1 This variant is derived from the ancient English word "ram" (meaning enclosure) + "tun." 5

Early History of the Bramton family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bramton research. Another 71 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1436, 1440, 1508, 1690 and 1751 are included under the topic Early Bramton History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bramton Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, French and other languages became incorporated into English through the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Bramton include Brampton, Bramton, Brompton, Brumton, Rampton and others.

Early Notables of the Bramton family

Notables of the family at this time include Sir Edward Brampton, KG (1440-1508), the Governor of Guernsey, a knight, adventurer, ship commander and the godson and protégé of...
Another 27 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Bramton Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Bramton family to Ireland

Some of the Bramton family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Bramton family

A great wave of immigration to the New World was the result of the enormous political and religious disarray that struck England at that time. Families left for the New World in extremely large numbers. The long journey was the end of many immigrants and many more arrived sick and starving. Still, those who made it were rewarded with an opportunity far greater than they had known at home in England. These emigrant families went on to make significant contributions to these emerging colonies in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers carried this name or one of its variants: Mansfield Brampton who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1772; Briar Brampton settled in Virginia in 1774; Isaac Brampton arrived in Philadelphia in 1858.

Citations +

Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Worth, R.N., A History of Devonshire London: Elliot Stock, 62, Paternoster Row, E.G., 1895. Digital
Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)