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The ancient Scottish kingdom of Dalriada is thought to be the home of the ancestors of the Breckenrish family. Their name comes from someone having 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, Breckenrish 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 Breckenrish 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 Breckenrish research. Another 108 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1454, 1748 and 1816 are included under the topic Early Breckenrish History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
In the Middle Ages, the translation between Gaelic and English was not a highly developed process. Spelling was not yet standardized, and so, an enormous number of spelling variations appear in records of early Scottish names. Breckenrish has appeared 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 Breckenrish 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.
Dalriadan families proliferated in North America. Their descendants still populate many communities in the eastern parts of both the United States and Canada. Some settled in Canada as United Empire Loyalists, in the wake of the American War of Independence. Families on both sides of the border have recovered much of their heritage in the 20th century through Clan societies and highland games. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Breckenrish 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.