Brief History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Germany

The surname Brief is derived from the name of the occupation of courier or messenger. This is, more specifically speaking, a surname of office, due to its derivation from a political or religious office which is derived from the Old German word Brefdreger, and in Modern German it is Brieftraegar, which mean postman. In the Middle Ages, a brefdreger would have carried letters and documents between the barons and other nobles. As such, the family was important to the medieval economy and society and they enjoyed many privileges of office.

Early Origins of the Brief family

The surname Brief was first found in Swabia, where the family was recorded in early times.

Early History of the Brief family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Brief research. Another 187 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1382 and 1804 are included under the topic Early Brief History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Brief Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Brieff, Brief, Brieftrager, Brefdregher and others.

Early Notables of the Brief family

Notables with the surname Brief during this period were

the von Brieff family of Saxony

Migration of the Brief family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Friedrich Brieff, who arrived in Philadelphia in 1773.

Contemporary Notables of the name Brief (post 1700) +

Henry Brief (b. 1924), influential entertainment executive, New York