Brombe History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

When the Strongbownian's arrived in Ireland there was already a system for creating patronymic names in place. Therefore, the native population regarded many of the Anglo-Norman naming practices that these settlers were accustomed to as rather unusual. Despite their differences, the two different systems eventually merged together rather insidiously. The Strongbownians, when they arrived, displayed a preference for used nickname surnames. Two of the most prevalent forms were oath nicknames and imperative names. Oath names often carried blessings or were formed from habitual expressions. Imperative names, formed from a verb added to a noun or an adverb, metaphorically described the bearer's occupations. The nick name surname Brombe is derived from a nickname for a person with brown hair or a tanned complexion, or a person who favored brown clothing. The surname Brombe is derived from the Old English word brun or the Old French word brun, which both mean brown, and are both ultimately of Germanic origin. The Gaelic forms of the name are De Brún or le Brún. The latter form is considered to be correct.

Early Origins of the Brombe family

The surname Brombe was first found in County Galway. The first Browne to settle in Ireland was descended from the Counts of Marche in Pictou, in Normandy. Hugh le Brun married Isabel, the widow of King John, and their son, William de Valence was created Earl of Pembroke. Sir Hugh le Brun was one of the Lords of the Marches of Wales. His grandson, Sir William landed in Ireland in 1172 during the Norman invasion, and his son, Fromond le Brun, was Chancellor of Ireland in 1230. From Fromond was descended Sir David who built the Castle of Carrowbrowne in Oranmore. This became the senior branch of the Brownes of Galway.

Early History of the Brombe family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Brombe research. Another 150 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1585, 1594, 1608, 1610, 1620, 1633, 1634, 1635, 1638, 1656, 1668, 1670, 1694, 1705 and 1757 are included under the topic Early Brombe History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Brombe Spelling Variations

Church officials and medieval scribes spelled names as they sounded; therefore, single person, could have his name spelt many different ways during their lifetime. While investigating the origins of the name Brombe, many spelling variations were encountered, including: Browne, Brownes and others.

Early Notables of the Brombe family

Notable amongst the family up to this time was Geoffrey Browne (died 1608), Alderman of Galway, Mayor of Galway (1634-1635), member of the Tribes of Galway; Sir Dominick Browne (c.1585-1656), Irish merchant and landowner; Mother Mary Bonaventure Browne (ca.1610-1670), member of the...
Another 42 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Brombe Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Brombe family

A great number of Irish families left their homeland in the late 18th century and throughout the 19th century, migrating to such far away lands as Australia and North America. The early settlers left after much planning and deliberation. They were generally well off but they desired a tract of land that they could farm solely for themselves. The great mass of immigrants to arrive on North American shores in the 1840s differed greatly from their predecessors because many of them were utterly destitute, selling all they had to gain a passage on a ship or having their way paid by a philanthropic society. These Irish people were trying to escape the aftermath of the Great Potato Famine: poverty, starvation, disease, and, for many, ultimately death. Those that arrived on North American shores were not warmly welcomed by the established population, but they were vital to the rapid development of the industry, agriculture, and infrastructure of the infant nations of the United States and what would become Canada. Early passenger and immigration lists reveal many Irish settlers bearing the name Brombe: Christopher Browne of Watertown, Massachusetts, John Browne of Salem, Massachusetts, and Thomas Browne of Concord, Massachusetts, who settled in or about the year 1632..

The Brombe 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: Fortiter et fideliter
Motto Translation: Boldly and faithfully.