Bracelen History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The name Bracelen comes from one of the family having 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 Bracelen family

The surname Bracelen 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 Bracelen family

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

Bracelen Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Bracelen have been found, including: Bracegirdle, Bracegerdle, Brasgirdle and others.

Early Notables of the Bracelen family

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 Bracelen Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Bracelen family

Families began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become for new powerful nations. Among the first immigrants of the name Bracelen, or a variant listed above to cross the Atlantic and come to North America were : 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.