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![Show Contents]() Brentnal History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 England
Brentnal is an ancient Norman name that arrived in England after the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Brentnal family lived in Somerset in the area of Brent, from where their family name is taken. The Brentnal family was originally from Conteville, in the arrondissement of Eure in Normandy. Early Origins of the Brentnal familyThe surname Brentnal was first found in Somerset where they are conjecturally descended from Ralf de Conteville who was Lord of the manor of Brent, and an undertennant of the Abbot of Glastonbury, as shown in the Domesday Book in 1086. They were originally of Conteville in the arrondisement of Eure in Normandy. Sir Falkes de Breauté (died 1226) also known as Fulk de Brent was loyal to both King John and later King Henry III. He played a key role in the Battle of Lincoln Fair in 1217. "At the Conquest [the parish of Luton, Bedofrdshire] was held in royal demesne; and in 1216 came into the possession of Baron Fulk de Brent, who built a strong castle there." 1 Early History of the Brentnal familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Brentnal research. Another 96 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1309, 1573, 1589, 1593, 1594, 1598, 1601, 1607, 1623, 1652 and 1671 are included under the topic Early Brentnal History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Brentnal Spelling VariationsNorman surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. The frequent changes in surnames are largely due to the fact that the Old and Middle English languages lacked definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England, as well as the official court languages of Latin and French, also had pronounced influences on the spelling of surnames. Since medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, rather than adhering to any specific spelling rules, it was common to find the same individual referred to with different spellings. The name has been spelled Brent, Brente and others. Early Notables of the Brentnal familyOutstanding amongst the family at this time was Sir Nathaniel Brent (1573?-1652), warden of Merton College, Oxford, the son of Anchor Brent of Little Wolford, Warwickshire. His grandfather's name was Richard, and his great-grandfather was John Brent of Cosington, Somersetshire. "He became 'portionist,' or postmaster, of Merton College, Oxford, in 1589; proceeded B.A. on 20 June 1593; was admitted probationer fellow there in 1594, and took the degree of...
Another 68 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Brentnal Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Brentnal familyMany English families emigrated to North American colonies in order to escape the political chaos in Britain at this time. Unfortunately, many English families made the trip to the New World under extremely harsh conditions. Overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the stormy Atlantic. Despite these hardships, many of the families prospered and went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the United States and Canada. Early North American immigration records have revealed a number of people bearing the name Brentnal or a variant listed above: Margaret Brent (born c. 1600, Gloucestershire, England - died 1669/71, Westmoreland county, Virginia) who arrived in Maryland in 1638 and obtained a patent for 70 acres.
- Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
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