| ![Show Contents]() Brents History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
The name Brents came to England with the ancestors of the Brents family in the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Brents family lived in Somerset in the area of Brent, from where their family name is taken. The Brents family was originally from Conteville, in the arrondissement of Eure in Normandy. Early Origins of the Brents familyThe surname Brents 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 Brents familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Brents 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 Brents History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Brents Spelling VariationsMultitudes of spelling variations are a hallmark of Anglo Norman names. Most of these names evolved in the 11th and 12th century, in the time after the Normans introduced their own Norman French language into a country where Old and Middle English had no spelling rules and the languages of the court were French and Latin. To make matters worse, medieval scribes spelled words according to sound, so names frequently appeared differently in the various documents in which they were recorded. The name was spelled Brent, Brente and others. Early Notables of the Brents 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 Brents Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Brents familyBecause of this political and religious unrest within English society, many people decided to immigrate to the colonies. Families left for Ireland, North America, and Australia in enormous numbers, traveling at high cost in extremely inhospitable conditions. The New World in particular was a desirable destination, but the long voyage caused many to arrive sick and starving. Those who made it, though, were welcomed by opportunities far greater than they had known at home in England. Many of these families went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Brents 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.
| Contemporary Notables of the name Brents (post 1700) | + |
- Walker A. Brents, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Texas, 1960 2
- Thomas Hurley Brents (1840-1916), American Republican politician, Member of Washington Territorial House of Representatives, 1866; Superior Court Judge in Washington, 1896-1913 2
- Charles Brents Kennamer (1874-1955), American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Alabama, 1912, 1916, 1920, 1924, 1928; Candidate for U.S. Representative from Alabama 7th District, 1920 3
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