Brownson 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 Brownson is derived from a nickname for a person with brown hair or a tanned complexion, or a person who favored brown clothing. The surname Brownson 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 Brownson family

The surname Brownson 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 Brownson family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Brownson 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 Brownson History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Brownson Spelling Variations

Medieval scribes and church officials spelt names simply the way they sounded, which explains the various name spelling variations of the name Brownson that were encountered when researching that surname. The many spelling variations included: Browne, Brownes and others.

Early Notables of the Brownson 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 Brownson Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Brownson migration to the United States +

Irish immigration to North American began in the late 18th century as many Irish families desired to own their own land. This pattern of immigration grew slowly yet steadily until the 1840s. At that time, a failed crop and a growing population in Ireland resulted in the Great Potato Famine. Poverty, disease, and starvation ravaged the land. To ease their pain and suffering the Irish often looked upon North America as a solution: hundreds of thousands undertook the voyage. Their arrival meant the growth of industry and commerce for British North America and the United States. For the individual Irishman, it meant survival and hope, and the opportunity for work, freedom, and ownership of land. The early immigration and passenger lists revealed many bearing the name Brownson:

Brownson Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Theron W Brownson, who arrived in Mobile, Ala in 1861 1
Frederick Brownson, aged 30, who immigrated to the United States, in 1892
Marcus A. Brownson, aged 33, who landed in America from London, in 1892
Mrs. M. Brownson, aged 32, who landed in America from London, in 1895
M. Brownson, aged 36, who landed in America from London, in 1895

Brownson Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

James M. Brownson, who settled in America, in 1906
Mary W. Brownson, who immigrated to the United States, in 1907
Leonard Brownson, aged 4, who immigrated to the United States, in 1908
Leonard Brownson, aged 64, who settled in America, in 1909
Truman Brownson, aged 59, who settled in America, in 1910
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Brownson migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Brownson Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Mr. Samuel Brownson II, Sr., U.E. who settled in Canada c. 1783 2
Mr. Samuel Brownson, II U.E. who settled in Canada c. 1783 2

Contemporary Notables of the name Brownson (post 1700) +

Marshall Phillip "Mark" Brownson (1975-2017), American Major League Baseball pitcher
Sarah Nicolena Brownson (1839-1876), American writer, daughter of Orestes A. Brownson
Rear Admiral Willard Herbert Brownson (1845-1935), American naval admiral, Superintendent of the United States Naval Academy, eponym of two destroyers
Orestes Augustus Brownson (1803-1876), American philosopher and writer
Nathan Brownson (1742-1796), American physician and politician, 14th Governor of Georgia in 1781
Mark Brownson (b. 1975), American former Major League Baseball pitcher who played from 1998 to 2000
Charles B. Brownson (1914-1988), American politician, U.S. Representative from Indiana
Derry Brownson (b. 1970), English musician

The Brownson 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.

Citations +

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)
Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X