Brink History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Netherlands
Germany
Ireland

The name Brink comes from the Rhineland, an ancient region of Germany. In pre-medieval times, the Germans used only one name, but later they were forced by a growing population to adopt hereditary surnames; so as to remain distinct from the many others of the same first name. Local names were often chosen. They originally indicated land ownership, and frequently carried the prefix von, meaning "of" or "from," which is often taken as an indication of aristocratic lineage. Brink was a name for some one lived beside a meadow or grassy pasture. Brink is a topographic surname, which was a type of local name given to a person who resided near a physical feature such as a hill, stream, church, or type of tree. Habitation names form the other broad category of surnames that were derived from place-names. They were derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads. Other local names are derived from the names of houses, manors, estates, regions, and entire counties.

Early Origins of the Brink family

The surname Brink was first found in the Rhineland, where this family name became a prominent contributor to the development of the district from ancient times. Always prominent in social affairs, the name became an integral part of that turbulent region as it emerged to form alliances with other families within the Feudal System and the nation. The name Brink derives originally from the German word that describes a grassy meadow or pasture.

Early History of the Brink family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Brink research. Another 110 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1814, 1835 and 1870 are included under the topic Early Brink History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Brink Spelling Variations

Many cultural groups lived in the German states in medieval times. Each had its own dialect and traditions, and unique variations of popular names. Low German, which is similar to contemporary Dutch, was spoken in Westphalia. German names are characterized by additions such as regional suffixes and phrases that tell something about the origin or background of its original bearer. Further contributing to the variation in German names was the fact that there were no spelling rules in medieval times: scribes recorded names according to their sound. The recorded spelling variations of Brink include Brink, Brinker, Brinck, Brincke, Brinkmann, Brinkman, Brinckmann, Brinckman, Brinckemann and many more.

Early Notables of the Brink family

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

Brink World Ranking

In the United States, the name Brink is the 2,853^rd most popular surname with an estimated 9,948 people with that name. 1 However, in Netherlands, the name Brink is ranked the 174^th most popular surname with an estimated 6,770 people with that name. 2 And in South Africa, the name Brink is the 577^th popular surname with an estimated 11,957 people with that name. 3

Brink migration to the United States +

Between the 17th and 20th centuries, hundreds of thousands of Europeans came to North America, and many Rhinelanders were among them. They had many various reasons for making the choice: to escape poverty and persecution, for adventure, and for the opportunity to own their own land. Ellis Island, one of the main American immigration centers, saw many settlers as they moved on to the states of Pennsylvania, Ohio, Texas, Illinois, California, and New York. In Canada, they found homes in Ontario, and on the great plains of the Midwestern provinces. The Brink were among of the early German families that came to North America:

Brink Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Lambert Huybertse Brink, who landed in New Netherland(s) in 1620-1664 4
Lambert Huybense Brink, who arrived in New Netherland(s) in 1620-1664 4
Lambert Huvbertse Brink, who arrived in New Netherlands between the years 1620-1664

Brink Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Jacob Brink, who settled in Maryland in 1719
Peter Brink, who arrived in New York in 1754
Peter Brink, who landed in New York, NY in 1754 4

Brink Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Jan Van Brink, who arrived at Philadelphia in 1802
Harman Henry Brink, who arrived in New York in 1838
Jos Martin Brink, who arrived in America in 1840 4
Roelof Brink, aged 25, who landed in New York, NY in 1846 4
Mrs. Marie Brink, German who arrived in Galveston, Texas in 1847 aboard the ship "Franziska"
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Brink Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Axel Brink, who landed in Chile in 1906 4

Contemporary Notables of the name Brink (post 1700) +

Perry Brink (1830-1874), American founder of the Brinks security company on May 5, 1859 in Chicago, Illinois
Brigadier-General Francis Gerard Brink (1893-1952), American Chief of Operations, South-East Asia Command (1944-1945) 5
Simon Brink, American Republican politician, Postmaster at Woodstock, Illinois, 1891-96 6
Robert H. Brink, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Virginia, 2008; Member of Virginia State House of Delegates 48th District; Elected 2011 6
John L. Brink, American politician, Village President of River Forest, Illinois, 1935-42 6
Mrs. John Brink, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Kansas, 1960 6
George M. Brink, American Republican politician, Member of New York State Assembly from Ulster County 1st District, 1891-92; Postmaster at Kingston, New York, 1898-1902 6
Edward H. Brink, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Ohio, 1916 6
Earl R. Brink, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for New York State Assembly from Broome County 2nd District, 1929, 1931 6
Ben Brink, American Republican politician, Candidate for U.S. Representative from California 14th District, 1994, 1996 6
... (Another 7 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Citations +

"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Most Common Last Names in Netherlands." Forebears, https://forebears.io/netherlands/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in South Africa." Forebears, https://forebears.io/south-africa/surnames
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Generals of World War II. (Retrieved 2011, November 3) Francis Brink. Retrieved from http://generals.dk/general/Brink/Francis_Gerard/USA.html
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, December 11) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html