Show ContentsBrinky History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The ancestors of the Brinky surname lived among the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. The name comes from when they lived in or near the settlement of Brinkley in the county of Cambridgeshire.

Early Origins of the Brinky family

The surname Brinky was first found in Cambridgeshire at Brinkley, a small village about 15 miles from Cambridge in the union of Newmarket, hundred of Radfield. 1 The village dates back to the late 12th century when it was first listed as Brinkelai and literally meant "woodland clearing of a man called Brynca," from the Old English personal name + "leah." 2

Early History of the Brinky family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Brinky research. Another 35 words (2 lines of text) covering the years 1546, 1550, 1583 and 1585 are included under the topic Early Brinky History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Brinky Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, French and other languages became incorporated into English through the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Brinky include Brinkley, Bringley, Bringle, Bringlow, Bringley, Brinklow, Brinkley and many more.

Early Notables of the Brinky family

Notables of this surname at this time include: John Brinkley, Bishop of Cloyne; and Stephen Brinkley (b. 1550-1585?), an English printer, covertly producing Roman Catholic literature under Elizabeth I of England. He was tortured at the Tower of London but was discharged in June 1583. Henry Brinkelow (d. 1546), was an English satirist, the...
Another 54 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Brinky Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Brinky family to Ireland

Some of the Brinky family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 75 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Brinky family

A great wave of immigration to the New World was the result of the enormous political and religious disarray that struck England at that time. Families left for the New World in extremely large numbers. The long journey was the end of many immigrants and many more arrived sick and starving. Still, those who made it were rewarded with an opportunity far greater than they had known at home in England. These emigrant families went on to make significant contributions to these emerging colonies in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers carried this name or one of its variants: John Brinklow who settled in New England in 1763; John Brinkley settled in New England in 1773; James Brinkley settled in New England in 1755.



The Brinky Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Mutabimur
Motto Translation: Be changed


  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  2. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)


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