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Dalriada, in ancient Scotland, is where the name Brachenrish evolved. It was a name for someone who lived in the places named Brackenrig, in Lanarkshire and Ayrshire. 1 This place name comes from the Northern Old English words, bracken and rigg (ridge). So, Brachenrish literally means "dweller by the bracken-covered bridge." 2 Bracken is a large fern which typically grows in moorland and is found on all continents except Antarctica and in all environments except deserts.
The surname Brachenrish was first found in Lanarkshire, and Ayrshire where they held a family seat from very ancient times. In 1454, two records were found of the family: the yard of John of Bracanyyggis in Glasgow; and Johannes Brakanryg was sergeant of the upper baronie of Renffrew. A few years later, Robart Brakenrig witnessed a letter of reversion in 1504. 1
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Brachenrish research. Another 108 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1454, 1748 and 1816 are included under the topic Early Brachenrish History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Medieval translation of Gaelic names could not be referred to as an accurate process. Spelling was not yet standardized, and names in documents from that era are riddled with spelling variations. Brachenrish has been written as Brackenridge, Brachenridge, Brakenbury, Brackenrige, Brachenrige, Brecenrigg, Brecenrig, Breckinridge, Breckinrige, Breckinrigg, Breconrig, Breconrigg, Breckenrig, Breckenrigg, Braikinrigg, Braikinrig, Braikinridge and many more.
More information is included under the topic Early Brachenrish Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Another 38 words (3 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Descendents of Dalriadan-Scottish families still populate many communities across North America. They are particularly common in Canada, since many went north as United Empire Loyalists at the time of the American War of Independence. Much later, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the highland games and Clan societies that now dot North America sprang up, allowing many Scots to recover their lost national heritage. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America bore the name Brachenrish, or a variant listed above: Alexander Brackenridge who settled in Virginia in 1740; Hugh and John arrived in Philadelphia in 1846; Andrew Brackinridge settled in Philadelphia in 1840.