Contents [hide]

Bruce History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables World Ranking

Ireland United States Canada Australia New Zealand

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Suggested Reading Citations

Bruce History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Scotland
Ireland

Today's generation of the Bruce family bears a name that was brought to England by the migration wave that was started by the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Bruce family lived in Normandy. The exact location of the place from which the family name is derived is under dispute, as one may perhaps expect of such a prominent name. The traditional interpretation is that the name is derived from the place-name Brix, in La Manche. It is argued, however, that there is no real evidence in support of this, and that the name is actually derived from the place-name Le Brus, in Calvados. 1 A surname based upon an already existing place-name is called a habitation name.

Early Origins of the Bruce family

The surname Bruce was first found in Yorkshire where early record of the family found them at Middlesbrough, a town and parish, on the river Tees. "This place, at a very early period, had a chapel dedicated to St. Hilda, which, in the reign of Henry I., was granted by Robert de Brus to the monks of Whitby Abbey, on condition of their founding here a cell to that monastery; this condition was fulfilled, and the institution that was established continued to flourish till the Dissolution." 2

"The family of Brutz, Brus or Bruce assumed its name from the Castle of La Brusce in Normandy, seventeen miles from Valognes, which was built by Robert de Brutz, or Brusce, a councillor to Duke Robert. His youngest son, Robert de Brutz, or in English, Brus, together with William, his son, followed the standard of their kinsman, the Conqueror, into England, where Robert is said to have died, very shortly after the battle at Hastings. William, his son, had the castle of Brember, in Sussex, and his descendants for several generations held rank as Barons of the realm. Adam, or Adelm de Brus, the second brother of William, came into England in 1050, attending Queen Emma; but, after her death, retired into Scotland. He joined his father and brother in the conquest of England, and for his services was rewarded with ninety-four lordships in Yorkshire. He died in 1079, and his son Robert is recorded in Domesday Book. He built the castle of Skelton, and founded the priory of Gisborough, in 1119; was at the battle of the Standard, in 1135; and died 1111." 3

Skelton in the West Riding of Yorkshire held a special significance to the ancient family. "This place was given at the Conquest to Robert de Brus, a Norman Baron who came over with William, and who erected a castle here, of which scarcely any vestiges remain, the whole having been modernised in 1794. From this baron descended some of the kings of Scotland, and the present family of Bruce, marquesses of Ailesbury. The ancient manor [of Skinningrove] belonged to the Bruces, lords of Skelton, and came by marriage to the Thwengs, of Kilton." 2

In the North Riding of Yorkshire at Liverton, other early records of the family were found. "This place, which at the time of the Domesday Survey was a barren and unprofitable waste, was granted by the Conqueror to Robert de Brus, lord of Skelton." 2

"Robert de Brus was at the battle of Hastings, and held a great barony of ninety-four manors in Yorkshire 4, where he built Skelton Castle. Either he or his son of the same name (from the dates probably the son, as it is scarcely likely that the elder Robert should have outlived the Conquest for seventy-five years) married Agnes daughter of Fulk de Paganell, who brought him as her dowry Hart and Hartnesse in the Bishopric of Durham, "the maritime key of the Palatinate." How he acquired Annandale and his great Scottish estates is not so clear. Some say they were a grant from David I., having from his youth been "a friend and familiar of the King of Scots" at the court of his brother-in-law Henry I.; others believe that his second wife was Agnes of Annan, a Scottish heiress. " 5

Robert I de Brus, 1st Lord of Annandale (c.1070-1142) was the first of the Bruce family to hold lands in Scotland. He founded Gisborough Priory in Yorkshire, in present-day Redcar and Cleveland, in 1119. Close friends with David FitzMalcolm, later known as King David I of Scotland, he was granted extensive lands in he Cotentin Peninsula c. 1120.

William de Broase (d. 1211), was a "rebel Baron, the descendant and heir of William de Braose (alias Braiose, Breause, Brehus, &c.), Lord of Braose, near Falaise in Normandy, who had received great estates in England at the Conquest. The family fixed their seat at Bramber in Sussex, and were lords of its appendant rape. " 6

Early History of the Bruce family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bruce research. Another 272 words (19 lines of text) covering the years 1150, 1271, 1274, 1329, 1635, 1660, 1684, 1686, 1693, 1730, 1735 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Bruce History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bruce Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, Norman French and other languages became incorporated into English throughout the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Bruce include Bruce, Brus (Gaelic), Bruys, Bruse and others.

Early Notables of the Bruce family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was

Robert Bruce (1274-1329), King of Scotland...

Bruce World Ranking

In the United States, the name Bruce is the 541^st most popular surname with an estimated 54,714 people with that name. 7 However, in Canada, the name Bruce is ranked the 474^th most popular surname with an estimated 10,129 people with that name. 8 And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Bruce is the 462^nd popular surname with an estimated 102 people with that name. 9 Australia ranks Bruce as 347^th with 10,456 people. 10 New Zealand ranks Bruce as 260^th with 2,358 people. 11 The United Kingdom ranks Bruce as 324^th with 19,008 people. 12

Migration of the Bruce family to Ireland

Some of the Bruce family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 134 words (10 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bruce migration to the United States +

In England at this time, the uncertainty of the political and religious environment of the time caused many families to board ships for distant British colonies in the hopes of finding land and opportunity, and escaping persecution. The voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, though, and many arrived in North America sick, starved, and destitute. Those who did make it, however, were greeted with greater opportunities and freedoms that they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make important contributions to the young nations in which they settled. Early immigration records have shown some of the first Bruces to arrive on North American shores:

Bruce Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Richard Bruce, who arrived in Virginia in 1638 13
Sarah Bruce, who arrived in Massachusetts in 1643 13
Richard Bruce, who settled in Virginia in 1650
Phill Bruce, who landed in Virginia in 1664 13
Robert Bruce, who landed in Virginia in 1666 13
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Bruce Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Alexander Bruce who landed in Virginia in 1716
James Bruce who landed in South Carolina in 1716
Alexander Bruce who settled in Virginia in 1716
James Bruce, who settled in South Carolina in 1716
Alexander Bruce, who landed in New York in 1746 13
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Bruce Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Dinah Bruce, aged 30, who arrived in Alexandria, Va in 1801 13
Eliz Bruce, aged 26, who landed in New York, NY in 1803 13
Thomas Bruce, who landed in America in 1803 13
Robert Bruce, who landed in America in 1806 13
Barwick Bruce, who arrived in Hartford, Connecticut in 1806 13
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Bruce migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Bruce Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Mr. Bruce, who landed in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1749-1752
James Bruce, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1749
John Bruce, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1750
Mr. Alnanwer Bruce U.E. who settled in Cornwall, Ontario c. 1783 14
Mr. David Bruce U.E. who settled in Eastern District [Cornwall], Ontario c. 1783 14
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Bruce Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

John Bruce, aged 60, Scottish settler who arrived in Churchill in 1812 before arriving in the Red River, Canada in 1814
Catherine Bruce, aged 33, who landed in Canada in 1815
John Bruce, who arrived in Canada in 1817
Mrs. Catherine Bruce, aged 54 who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Scotland" departing 13th April 1847 from Cork, Ireland; the ship arrived on 8th June 1847 but she died on board 15
George Bruce, who arrived in Esquimalt, British Columbia in 1862

Bruce migration to Australia +

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

Bruce Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century

Mr. Robert Bruce, English convict who was convicted in Southampton, Hampshire, England for 7 years for assault, transported aboard the "Charlotte" on 13th May 1787, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 16

Bruce Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mrs. Mary Bruce, (b. 1787), aged 25, English servant who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Emu" in October 1812, the ship was captured and the passengers put ashore, the convicts were then transported aboard the "Broxburnebury" in January 1812 arriving in New South Wales, Australia 17
Mr. Francis Bruce who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Dick" on 2nd October 1820, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 18
Mr. James Geroge Bruce, British Convict who was convicted in Chester, Cheshire, England for life, transported aboard the "Elizabeth" on 11th August 1820, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 19
Mr. John Bruce, Scottish convict who was convicted in Aberdeen, Scotland for 14 years, transported aboard the "Caledonia" in 19th June 1822, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 20
James Bruce, a blacksmith, who arrived in Van Diemen’s Land (now Tasmania) sometime between 1825 and 1832
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Bruce 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:

Bruce Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Charles Bruce, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840
Peter Bruce, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1841 aboard the ship Lady Nugent
Peter Bruce, aged 23, a sawyer, who arrived in Port Nicholson aboard the ship "Lady Nugent" in 1841
Helen Bruce, aged 22, who arrived in Port Nicholson aboard the ship "Lady Nugent" in 1841
Mr. Peter Bruce, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Lady Nugent" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 17th March 1841 21
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Bruce (post 1700) +

Patsy Ann Bruce (1940-2021), née Smithson, an American country songwriter and manager, best known for co-writting "Mammas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys" with her ex-husband Ed Bruce
William Edwin "Ed" Bruce Jr. (1939-2021), American country music songwriter, singer, and actor, best known for writing the 1975 song "Mammas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys"
Earle Bruce (1931-2018), American football player and coach
Lieutenant-General Andrew Davis Bruce (1894-1969), American Commandant Armed Forces Staff College (1951-1954) 22
David Kirkpatrick Este Bruce (1898-1977), American diplomat who served as Ambassador to France, the Republic of Germany and the United Kingdom, recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom
Charles Bruce, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from Massachusetts, 1900 23
Charles Bruce, American politician, Postmaster at Darlington Court House, South Carolina, 1809-10 23
C. Arthur Bruce, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Tennessee, 1932, 1940, 1944, 1952 (alternate) 23
Blanche Kelso Bruce (1841-1898), American Republican politician, U.S. Senator from Mississippi, 1875-81; Delegate to Republican National Convention from Mississippi, 1880, 1884; Register of the U.S. Treasury, 1881, 1897-98 23
Benjamin F. Bruce, American politician, Member of New York State Assembly from Madison County 2nd District, 1867 23
... (Another 68 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Bruce family +

HMS Dorsetshire

Alexander Morrison Bruce (d. 1945), British Stoker 2nd Class aboard the HMS Dorsetshire when she was struck by air bombers and sunk; he died in the sinking 24

HMS Prince of Wales

Mr. William Bruce, British Able Bodied Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 25
Mr. James Bruce, British Canteen Assistant, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 25

HMS Repulse

Mr. James Joseph Bruce, British Petty Officer, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking 26

USS Arizona

Mr. John F. Bruce, American Gunners Mate Third Class working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he survived the sinking 27

Citations +

The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Burke, John Bernard, The Roll of Battle Abbey. London: Edward Churton, 26, Holles Street, 1848, Print.
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Cleveland, Dutchess of The Battle Abbey Roll with some Account of the Norman Lineages. London: John Murray, Abermarle Street, 1889. Print. Volume 1 of 3
Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
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
Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 67)
Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/charlotte
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 3rd November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/Emu
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 8th July 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/Dick
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 3rd March 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/elizabeth
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 30th November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/caledonia
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
Generals of World War II. (Retrieved 2011, November 3) Andrew Bruce. Retrieved from http://generals.dk/general/Bruce/Andrew_Davis/USA.html
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 21) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
Force Z Survivors HMS Dorsetshire Crew List, (Retrieved 2018, February 13th), https://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listdorsetshirecrew.html
HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html
HMS Repulse Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listrepulsecrew.html
Pearl Harbour: USS Arizona Casualties List Pearl Harbour December 7, 1941. (Retrieved 2018, July 31st). Retrieved from http://pearl-harbor.com/arizona/casualtylist.html