Show ContentsBreban History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Today's generation of the Breban family bears a name that was brought to England by the migration wave that was started by the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Breban family lived in the county of Kent. The family name originates in the Duchy of Brabant in Normandy, and it is from this place that the village and parish of Braborne takes its name. In Normandy, the name was associated with mercenary-style soldiering, and the family was renowned as a group of valiant fighters, particularly in William the Conqueror's army at the Battle of Hastings in 1066.

Early Origins of the Breban family

The surname Breban was first found in the counties of Kent where they arrived from the Duchy of Brabant and gave their name to the village and parish of Braborne in the shire. They were granted a manor and estates soon after the Norman Conquest of England in 1066 by Duke William of Normandy. In William's army the Brabants were known by their distinctive name, the Great Warrior.

Early History of the Breban family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Breban research. Another 55 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1300, 1590 and 1654 are included under the topic Early Breban History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Breban Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years the English language had no fixed system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations occurred commonly in Anglo Norman surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Breban were recorded, including Braborne, Brabant, Braban, Brabourne, Braband, Branantine and many more.

Early Notables of the Breban family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Theophilius Babourne (b. 1590), English writer on the Sabbath question, a native of Norwich. "The date of his birth is fixed by his own statement in 1654: 'I...
Another 36 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Breban Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Breban family to Ireland

Some of the Breban family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 34 words (2 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Breban family

The unstable environment in England at this time caused numerous families to board ships and leave in search of opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad in places like Ireland, Australia, and particularly the New World. The voyage was extremely difficult, however, and only taken at great expense. The cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels caused many to arrive diseased and starving, not to mention destitute from the enormous cost. Still opportunity in the emerging nations of Canada and the United States was far greater than at home and many went on to make important contributions to the cultures of their adopted countries. An examination of many early immigration records reveals that people bearing the name Breban arrived in North America very early: Alexander Brabant landed in the Somers Islands in 1635; but later transferred to Jamaica, and thence to the mainland. By 1651 he had settled in Boston Massachusetts where he now spelled his name Braband. Sarah Braban settled in Virginia in 1654.


Contemporary Notables of the name Breban (post 1700) +

  • Nicolae Breban (b. 1934), Romanian novelist and essayist


Houseofnames.com on Facebook