Brebbasson History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The history of the Brebbasson family name begins after the Norman Conquest of 1066. They lived in the county of Kent. The family name originates in the taken duchy of Brabant in Normandy, it is from the local that the village and parish of Braborne is named. Typically then the name was used by locals of the Brabant area. Their castle was called Brabacon. 1

In Normandy the surname had come to be associated with mercenary-style soldiering, and the family was renowned as valiant fighters, particularly in William the Conqueror's army at the Battle of Hastings.

Another source claims that they assumed their surname from the Castle of Brabazon, in Normandy and it was Jaques Le Brabason, nicknamed the Great Warrior who came to the aid of William the Conqueror in his conquest of England and consequently appears on the Roll of Battle Abbey. 2

"John le Brabason, son of the Norman, fixed his residence at Betchworth, in Surrey, and was living in the reigns of Henry I. and Henry II. From him derived the Brabazons of Eaatwell, in Leicestershire, of whom was John le Brabazon, of Eastwell, slain at the Battle of Bosworth." 2

Early Origins of the Brebbasson family

The surname Brebbasson was first found in Surrey and Kent where they settled at Bletchworth in Surrey and Braborne in Kent. They were from the village and Castle of Brabancon in Flanders, their profession, professional soldiers.

Roger Le Barabazon (d. 1317), was an early English judge, "descended from an ancient family of Normandy. The name is variously spelt Brabaçon, Brabançon, and Brabanson, and was originally given to one of the roving bands of mercenaries common in the Middle Ages. " 3

Early History of the Brebbasson family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Brebbasson research. Another 99 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1172, 1552, 1580, 1625, 1645, 1651, 1682, 1684, 1685, 1686, 1688, 1691, 1715, 1737, 1751, 1763, 1772 and 1977 are included under the topic Early Brebbasson History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Brebbasson Spelling Variations

Anglo-Norman names are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. When the Normans became the ruling people of England in the 11th century, they introduced a new language into a society where the main languages of Old and later Middle English had no definite spelling rules. These languages were more often spoken than written, so they blended freely with one another. Contributing to this mixing of tongues was the fact that medieval scribes spelled words according to sound, ensuring that a person's name would appear differently in nearly every document in which it was recorded. The name has been spelled Brabasson, Brabazon, Brabauzon, Barbazaun and others.

Early Notables of the Brebbasson family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Sir William Brabazon (d. 1552), Vice-Treasurer and Lord Justice of Ireland, descended from the family of Roger le Brabazon; Sir Edward Brabazon, 1st Baron Ardee (d. 1625), who represented County Wicklow in the Irish House of Commons and served as High Sheriff...
Another 50 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Brebbasson Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Brebbasson family to Ireland

Some of the Brebbasson family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 103 words (7 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 Brebbasson family

For many English families, the political and religious disarray that plagued their homeland made the frontiers of the New World an attractive prospect. Thousands migrated, aboard cramped disease-ridden ships. They arrived sick, poor, and hungry, but were welcomed in many cases with far greater opportunity than at home in England. Many of these hardy settlers went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Among early immigrants bearing the name Brebbasson or a variant listed above were: Barnabas Brabazon settled in Barbados and Jamaica in the year 1700.

The Brebbasson 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: Vota vita mea
Motto Translation: Prayers are my life.

Citations +

The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
Burke, John Bernard, The Roll of Battle Abbey. London: Edward Churton, 26, Holles Street, 1848, Print.
Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print