Show ContentsBriffett History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Briffett is Anglo-Saxon in origin. It was a name given to a person who was the Brevetour or private clerk. This person would write brevets for his lord, as well as write down household expenses.

Early Origins of the Briffett family

The surname Briffett was first found in Cambridgeshire, where they held a family seat from ancient times.

Early History of the Briffett family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Briffett research. Another 215 words (15 lines of text) covering the years 1221, 1275, 1285, 1327, 1357 and 1500 are included under the topic Early Briffett History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Briffett Spelling Variations

Until the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Briffett include Breviter, Brevitor, Brevetur, Brevetor, Brefeter, Breftour and many more.

Early Notables of the Briffett family

More information is included under the topic Early Briffett Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Australia Briffett migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Briffett Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Thomas Briffett, British convict who was convicted in Taunton, Somerset, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Cornwall" on 28th February 1851, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 1

Contemporary Notables of the name Briffett (post 1700) +

  • Pilot Officer Kenneth C. Briffett (d. 1943), British Air Force officer from the 27 Squadron RAF, killed on 26 March 1943 during an aerial fight in his Bristol Beaufighter
  • Elliot Briffett, British actor, known for his with with EastEnders (2013-)
  • Oliver Briffett -Payne, Welsh snooker player at the 2023 Welsh Open
  • Bethana Briffett, Canadian Screen Awards nominated costume designer, known for The Lighthouse (2019), Hobo with a Shotgun (2011) and Outlander (2008)
  • Clare Briffett, Canadian costume designer, known for To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You (2020), Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency (2016) and The Twilight Zone (2019)

SS Southern Cross
  • Mr. Thomas Briffett (1888-1914), Newfoundlander from Bryant's Cove who was aboard the "SS Southern Cross" when it is suspected she sank between the 31st March 1914 and early April during the storm with a heavy load of pelts; no survivors were ever found


  1. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 11th March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/cornwall


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