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

The surname Browne 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 Browne family

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

Browne Spelling Variations

During the lifetime of an individual person, his name was often spelt by church officials and medieval scribes the way it sounded. An examination of the many different origins of each name has revealed many spelling variations for the name: Browne, Brownes and others.

Early Notables of the Browne family

Notable amongst the family up to this time was

Browne World Ranking

In the United States, the name Browne is the 1,607th most popular surname with an estimated 19,896 people with that name. 1 However, in Australia, the name Browne is ranked the 323rd most popular surname with an estimated 10,984 people with that name. 2 And in New Zealand, the name Browne is the 243rd popular surname with an estimated 2,449 people with that name. 3 The United Kingdom ranks Browne as 460th with 14,062 people. 4


Browne migration to the United States +

During the middle of the 19th century, Irish families often experienced extreme poverty and racial discrimination in their own homeland under English rule. Record numbers died of disease and starvation and many others, deciding against such a fate, boarded ships bound for North America. The largest influx of Irish settlers occurred with Great Potato Famine of the late 1840s. Unfortunately, many of those Irish that arrived in Canada or the United States still experienced economic and racial discrimination. Although often maligned, these Irish people were essential to the rapid development of these countries because they provided the cheap labor required for the many canals, roads, railways, and other projects required for strong national infrastructures. Eventually the Irish went on to make contributions in the less backbreaking and more intellectual arenas of commerce, education, and the arts. Research early immigration and passenger lists revealed many early immigrants bearing the name Browne:

Browne Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
Browne Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Browne Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
Browne Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Browne migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Browne Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
Browne Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
Browne Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century

Browne migration to Australia +

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

Browne Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Browne 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:

Browne Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Browne 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. 12
Browne Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Browne (post 1700) +


The Browne 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.


Suggested Readings for the name Browne +
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