Brisco History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:

Scotland

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The Strathclyde-Briton people of ancient Scotland were the first to use the name Brisco. The Brisco family lived in Briscoe in Scotland. The name Brisco is a habitational name, derived from a few sources. One source shows the name is derived from the Old Norse word Bretaskógr, which means, wood of the Britons. The second source shows that it may also be derived from the Old Norse words birki and stógr, which mean birch wood.

Early Origins of the Brisco family

The surname Brisco was first found in Briscoe, near Carlisle where the family were seated for three generations before the reign of Edward III. Later in Crofton in Cumbria (formerly Cumberland) and at Birkskeugh, in the parish of Newbiggan, were the ancestral homes of the family since 1390. 1 One of the first records of the name in Cumberland was Isold de Briskow. Later William Brys(k)how was listed in Yorkshire in 1410. 2

Early History of the Brisco family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Brisco research. Another 245 words (18 lines of text) covering the years 1280, 1332, 1588, 1590, 1606, 1654, 1656, 1659, 1688, 1690 and 1845 are included under the topic Early Brisco History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Brisco Spelling Variations

The variation in the spelling of Medieval names is a result of the lack of spelling rules in the English language prior to the last few hundred years. Before that time, scribes spelled according to sound, often varying the spelling of name within a single document. Brisco has appeared as Brisco, Briscoe, Briscowe, Briscow, Briskoe, Briskcoe, Briskcow, Briskow, Briskowe, Bresco, Brescoe and many more.

Early Notables of the Brisco family

Notable amongst the family at this time was

Richard Briscoe, Battle of Solway Firth

Brisco Ranking

In the United States, the name Brisco is the 8,217^th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 3

Migration of the Brisco family to Ireland

Some of the Brisco family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 130 words (9 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Brisco migration to the United States +

As the persecution of Clan families continued, they sailed for North America in increasing numbers. In most cases, they found the freedom and opportunity they sought. Land was often available and the American War of Independence allowed Scots an opportunity to solidify their independence from the English crown. These settlers and their ancestors went on to play essential roles in the forging of the nations of the United States and Canada. Among them:

Brisco Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Ann Brisco, aged 22, who arrived in Virginia in 1635 aboard the ship "Transport"
Nathaniel Brisco, who settled in Maryland in 1684
Henery Brisco, aged 21, who landed in Virginia in 1684 4
Henry Brisco, aged 21, who arrived in Virginia in 1684 4

Brisco Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

C Brisco, who arrived in San Francisco, California in 1850 4

Brisco migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Brisco Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Sgt. Isaac Brisco, "Briscoe" U.E. (b. 1740) born in Connecticut, USA from Arlington & Sunderland who settled in Ernestown, Lennox & Addington, Ontario c. 1783 he enlisted in 1777 served as part of the King's Rangers Regiment married to Ruth Hawley they had 4 children 5
Mr. Nathan Brisco, "Briscoe" U.E. who settled in Ernestown, Lennox & Addington, Ontario c. 1783 5
Private Norris Brisco, "Briscoe" U.E. (b. 1764) who settled in Ernestown, Lennox & Addington, Ontario c. 1783 he served as part of the Loyal Rangers Regiment, married Elizabeth Aylesworth they had 8 children, he died in 1849 5

Brisco migration to Australia +

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

Brisco Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. Charles Brisco, British Convict who was convicted in Gloucester, Gloucestershire, England for life, transported aboard the "Coromandel" on 25th June 1838, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 6

Brisco migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 7

Brisco Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

John and Rebecca Brisco, who settled in Barbados in 1660

Contemporary Notables of the name Brisco (post 1700) +

Floyd Gerald "Jerry" Brisco (b. 1946), former American professional wrestler
Freddie Joe "Jack" Brisco (1941-2010), American professional wrestler
Ephraim D. Brisco, American politician, First Selectman of Newtown, Connecticut, 1915 8
Clarence H. Brisco, American Republican politician, Justice of New York Supreme Court 7th District, 1957-58 8
Sir Robert Brisco (1808-1884), 3rd Baronet
Sir Walter Brisco (1778-1862), 2nd Baronet
Sir John Brisco (1739-1805), 1st Baronet, Sheriff of Cumberland
Robert Hylton Brisco D.C. (1928-2004), Progressive Conservative party member of the Canadian House of Commons
Neil Brisco (b. 1978), English former footballer
Sir Musgrave Horton Brisco (1833-1909), English judge, 4th Baronet Brisco of Crofton Place
... (Another 1 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

The Brisco 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: Grata sume manu
Motto Translation: Take with a grateful hand.