Show ContentsBrellfork History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The origins of the Brellfork name lie with England's ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. It comes from when the family lived in Derbyshire, where they held a family seat in Brelsford. The place-name Brelsford was originally derived from the Old English broegelsford, which means manor on a hall near a fording place on a river. 1

Early Origins of the Brellfork family

The surname Brellfork was first found in Derbyshire at Brailsford, a parish, in the hundred of Appletree. "The manor, which in the reign of the Confessor had belonged to Earl Wallef, was one of those given by William the Conqueror to Henry de Ferrers, under whom it was held by Elsin, ancestor of the ancient family of Brailsford. From the Brailsfords the property passed by marriage to the Bassetts, and from them in the same way to the Shirleys: the manor now belongs to the Evans family." 2

Early rolls revealed some interesting early spellings. The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 listed Robert de Brailisford, Derbyshire and the Derbyshire Writs of Parliament listed Henry de Braylesford, 1301. 3

Early History of the Brellfork family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Brellfork research. Another 103 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1060, 1450, 1660 and 1678 are included under the topic Early Brellfork History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Brellfork Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Brellfork were recorded, including Braylsford, Braylford, Brayleford, Brailsford, Braylesford, Brawlford, Brawford, Brelisford, Brellisford and many more.

Early Notables of the Brellfork family

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

Migration of the Brellfork family

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Brellfork family emigrate to North America: Samuel Brawford who settled with his family in Charles Town [Charleston], South Carolina in 1767 aged 2; Samuel Brailsford settled in Charles Town [Charleston], South Carolina in 1794.



  1. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  2. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  3. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)


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