Bracelan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The founding heritage of the Bracelan family is in the Anglo-Saxon culture that once dominated in Britain. The name Bracelan comes from when one of the family worked as a maker of breech-girdles. The first portion of the surname is derived from the Old English word brec, which in turn comes from the Old French word braie, which means breeches. The second portion of the name comes from the Old English word gyrdel, which means girdle. [1]

Early Origins of the Bracelan family

The surname Bracelan was first found in Cheshire. "The Bracegirdles were an old Cheadle family, one of the members being rector of Billing, Northamptonshire, in the reign of Elizabeth. The name is at present most at home in the Knutsford district, but is still to be found in Cheadle." [2]

Early History of the Bracelan family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bracelan research. Another 130 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1556, 1541, 1649, 1620, 1749, 1613, 1560, 1569, 1663, 1748 and 1663 are included under the topic Early Bracelan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bracelan Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Bracelan has been spelled many different ways, including Bracegirdle, Bracegerdle, Brasgirdle and others.

Early Notables of the Bracelan family (pre 1700)

Distinguished members of the family include John Bracegirdle (d. c. 1613), an English poet, supposed to have been a son of John Bracegirdle, vicar of Stratford-upon-Avon from 1560 to 1569. Anne Bracegirdle (1663?-1748), was one of the most popular and brilliant of English actresses, born about 1663, presumably in one of the midland counties. One source...
Another 55 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Bracelan Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Bracelan family

Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Bracelans to arrive in North America: John Bracegirdle, who settled in New England in 1774.

Citations +

Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.