Brohan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The Anglo-Saxons of Britain first developed the name Brohan. It was a name given to someone who was a person dwelling within a borough and occupying an important position akin to that of reeve. The surname Brohan may also reflect the occupation of a chamberlain or "servant of the bower." However, Brohan may also be a patronymic surname which means "the son of Bruman" 1 from the Old English "Brunmann." 2

Early Origins of the Brohan family

The surname Brohan was first found in the Domesday Book of 1086 where the Latin form Bruman(nus) was recorded in Kent and Berkshire. 3 Continuing in Latin, Brummanus was listed at Holme in Norfolk, 1140-1153. Gilbertis filius Brunman was found in the Curia Regis Rolls for Cumberland (Cumbria) in 1211 and Brihtmar Bruman, Brunman was listed in the Pipe Rolls for Norfolk in 1199 and 1200. The Subsidy Rolls for Sussex included entries for Ralph Broneman in 1296 and John Bromman in 1327. In Essex we found Alexander Brounman in the Subsidy Rolls for 1327 and in Colchester, we found John Broman in 1372. 2

Early History of the Brohan family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Brohan research. Another 211 words (15 lines of text) covering the years 1199, 1211, 1327, 1372, 1500 and 1749 are included under the topic Early Brohan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Brohan Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Brohan have been found, including Brooman, Bruman, Brunman, Bromman, Brounman and many more.

Early Notables of the Brohan family

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

Brohan migration to Australia +

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

Brohan Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Norry Brohan, aged 25, a servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1855 aboard the ship "Sea Park"

Brohan 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:

Brohan Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Michael Brohan, aged 18, a farm labourer, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Caroline" in 1876 4

Contemporary Notables of the name Brohan (post 1700) +

James Brohan (1935-2023), Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club Blackrock and was a member of the Cork senior inter-county team from 1954 until 1963

Citations +

Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 5th November 2010). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html