Show ContentsBrightmore History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Brightmore is an ancient Anglo-Saxon name that is derived from the baptismal name Brichtmar. Bricmore was a scholar at Oxford in the 14th century. As the naming tradition grew in Europe baptismal names began to be introduced in many countries. Baptismal names were sometimes given in honor of Christian saints and other biblical figures. There are very few Christian countries in Europe that did not adopt surnames from these religious figures.

Early Origins of the Brightmore family

The surname Brightmore was first found in Suffolk, where they held a family seat from ancient times. The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 listed John Brihmar in Norfolk, and Harvey Brithnor and Martin Brithnor in Cambridgeshire. [1]

Early History of the Brightmore family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Brightmore research. Another 127 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1095, 1221, 1273, 1309, 1332, 1420, 1422, 1568 and 1652 are included under the topic Early Brightmore History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Brightmore Spelling Variations

Brightmore has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Many variations of the name Brightmore have been found, including Brightmore, Britemore, Brihtmore, Brihtmer, Brictmer, Brithmar, Brithnor, Britmar, Brightmer, Brithmere, Brykmare and many more.

Early Notables of the Brightmore family

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


Australia Brightmore migration to Australia +

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

Brightmore Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. George Brightmore, (b. 1819), aged 19, English coal miner who was convicted in Derby, Derbyshire, England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Earl Grey" on 27th July 1838, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1879 [2]

New Zealand Brightmore migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Brightmore Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Mr. William Brightmore, (b. 1822), aged 36, English bricklayer from London travelling from London aboard the ship "Strathallan" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 21st January 1859 [3]
  • Mrs. Louisa Brightmore, (b. 1824), aged 34, English settler from London travelling from London aboard the ship "Strathallan" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 21st January 1859 [3]
  • Mr. James Brightmore, (b. 1847), aged 11, English settler from London travelling from London aboard the ship "Strathallan" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 21st January 1859 [3]
  • Miss Louisa Brightmore, (b. 1855), aged 3, English settler from London travelling from London aboard the ship "Strathallan" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 21st January 1859 [3]
  • Mr. Arthur Brightmore, (b. 1842), aged 21, British bricklayer travelling from London aboard the ship "David G. Fleming" arriving in Lyttelton, Canterbury, New Zealand on 9th December 1863 [4]

Contemporary Notables of the name Brightmore (post 1700) +

  • Robert Brightmore, English concert guitarist, teacher at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, England
  • Mr. Henry Brightmore, British sheriff, held the joint position of Sheriff of Nottingham, England from 1572 to 1573
  • Leo Brightmore, film actor


  1. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  2. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 17th August 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-grey
  3. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  4. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html


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