Show ContentsBreynd History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Breynd is of Anglo-Saxon origin and came from 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 Breynd family

The surname Breynd 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 Breynd family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Breynd 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 Breynd History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Breynd Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Breynd are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. Scribes and monks in the Middle Ages spelled names they sounded, so it is common to find several variations that refer to a single person. The variations of the name Breynd include: Brend, Brende, Brennde, Breand, Breande and others.

Early Notables of the Breynd 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 Breynd Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Breynd family

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Breynd or a variant listed above: 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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