Show ContentsBrende History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Brende is part of the ancient legacy of the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It is a product of when the family lived in Staffordshire. The name is thought to have been derived from the Middle English words "brend, brent and brind" which are in turn derived from the Old English word "beornan," meaning "to burn." 1

The name may have been derived from Brind, a hamlet in the East Riding of Yorkshire, now part of the civil parish of Wressle. This hamlet dates back to 1188 when it was known as Brende, having derived from the Old English word "brende," meaning "place destroyed or cleared by burning." 2

Early Origins of the Brende family

The surname Brende was first found in Staffordshire, where Gilbert Brende was listed in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273. Years later in Worcestershire, Adam Brend and John Brent were listed in the Subsidy Rolls of 1327 and Hugo le Brent was recorded in the Hundredorum Rolls for Oxfordshire in 1279. Over in Suffolk, the Subsidy Rolls recorded Geoffrey le Brende in 1327. 1

Brende (with no first name) was recorded in the Pipe Rolls of 1188, but no county was recorded.

Early History of the Brende family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Brende research. Another 224 words (16 lines of text) covering the years 1273, 1307, 1327, 1379, 1500, 1516, 1560, 1572, 1598, 1600, 1601 and 1659 are included under the topic Early Brende History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Brende Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Brende has been spelled many different ways, including Brend, Brende, Brennde, Breand, Breande and others.

Early Notables of the Brende family

Notables of this surname at this time include: Adam Brend, a prominent 14th century landholder in Worcestershire; Thomas Brend (c. 1516-1598), owner of the land on which the Globe Theatre was built; Nicholas Brend (c. 1560-1601), inherited...
Another 36 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Brende Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Brende family

Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Brendes to arrive in North America: William Brend who arrived in Boston in 1657 and William Brend in America in 1664.



  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  2. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)


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