Brounker History, Family Crest & Coats of ArmsThis occupational surname was derived from the Old English term "Brungar" which meant "brown spear." Alternatively, the name could have been derived from the Old German word "Brunger." 1 Early Origins of the Brounker familyThe surname Brounker was first found in Dorset where the first record of the name appears as Brungar(us) in the Domesday Book. Thomas and William Brunger were listed in a census in Norfolk in 1275 and years later the name was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of Somerset as Brunger atte Yate. 2 Interestingly, we must look to Somerset to find some of the earliest records of the family in early rolls. For it is there in Kirby's Quest that Edyth Brungar, Somerset, 1 Edward III; Adam Bryngard, Somerset, 1 Edward III; and John Bryngard, Somerset, 1 Edward III were all listed as holding lands there during the first year's reign of King Edward III. 3 Early History of the Brounker familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Brounker research. Another 77 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1327, 1377, 1585, 1603, 1605, 1607, 1617, 1620, 1627, 1639, 1642, 1645, 1660, 1680, 1684 and 1688 are included under the topic Early Brounker History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Brounker Spelling VariationsOnly recently has spelling become standardized in the English language. As the English language evolved in the Middle Ages, the spelling of names changed also. The name Brounker has undergone many spelling variations, including Brunker, Brungar, Bryngard, Brouncker, Brounker, Brunkere, Brynker and many more. Early Notables of the Brounker familyNotables of the family at this time include Adam Bryngard, a prominent 14th century landholder in Somerset; William Brouncker, 1st Viscount Brouncker (1585-1645); William Brouncker (c 1620-1680), an English politician, Member of Parliament for Westbury (1660); William Brouncker... Migration of the Brounker family to IrelandSome of the Brounker family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. Migration of the Brounker familyTo escape the unstable social climate in England of this time, many families boarded ships for the New World with the hope of finding land, opportunity, and greater religious and political freedom. Although the voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, those families that arrived often found greater opportunities and freedoms than they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make significant contributions to the rapidly developing colonies in which they settled. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Brounker were among those contributors: Robert Brunker who arrived in Philadelphia in 1867.
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