Show ContentsBranine History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Branine is a name that was formed by the Anglo-Saxon society of old Britain. The name was thought to have been used for someone who once worked as a person dwelling within a borough and occupying an important position akin to that of reeve. The surname Branine may also reflect the occupation of a chamberlain or "servant of the bower." However, Branine may also be a patronymic surname which means "the son of Bruman" 1 from the Old English "Brunmann." 2

Early Origins of the Branine family

The surname Branine was first found in the Domesday Book of 1086 where the Latin form Bruman(nus) was recorded in Kent and Berkshire. 3 Continuing in Latin, Brummanus was listed at Holme in Norfolk, 1140-1153. Gilbertis filius Brunman was found in the Curia Regis Rolls for Cumberland (Cumbria) in 1211 and Brihtmar Bruman, Brunman was listed in the Pipe Rolls for Norfolk in 1199 and 1200. The Subsidy Rolls for Sussex included entries for Ralph Broneman in 1296 and John Bromman in 1327. In Essex we found Alexander Brounman in the Subsidy Rolls for 1327 and in Colchester, we found John Broman in 1372. 2

Early History of the Branine family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Branine research. Another 211 words (15 lines of text) covering the years 1199, 1211, 1327, 1372, 1500 and 1749 are included under the topic Early Branine History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Branine Spelling Variations

Until the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Branine include Brooman, Bruman, Brunman, Bromman, Brounman and many more.

Early Notables of the Branine family

More information is included under the topic Early Branine Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Branine family

Thousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in England at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Branine were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records: William Brooman who sailed to Barbados in 1694.


Contemporary Notables of the name Branine (post 1700) +

  • Ezra Branine, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Kansas, 1916 4


  1. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  2. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  3. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  4. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 17) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


Houseofnames.com on Facebook