Show ContentsBrachel History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Brachel

What does the name Brachel mean?

Bavaria, one of the oldest and largest of the German states, is the birthplace of the Brachel family. After the 12th century, hereditary surnames were adopted according to fairly general rules. Names derived from occupations were particularly common in this region. Brachel is an occupational surname for master of hunting dogs. Further research showed the name was derived from the German word bracke. The surname Brachel was also a nickname for a person that resembled a hunting dog. Moreover, the surname Brachel is a nickname for a boisterous person, which is derived from the German word braht, which means loud or noise.

Early Origins of the Brachel family

The surname Brachel was first found in Bavaria, where this distinguished family contributed greatly to the development of an emerging nation.

Early History of the Brachel family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Brachel research. Another 90 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1637 and 1742 are included under the topic Early Brachel History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Brachel Spelling Variations

In the medieval era, many different cultural groups lived in the German states. There are thus many regional variations of German surnames from that era. Westphalians spoke Low German, which is similar to modern Dutch. Many German names carry suffixes that identify where they came from. Others have phrases attached that identify something about the original bearer. Other variations in German names resulted from the fact that medieval scribes worked without the aid of any spelling rules. The spelling variations of the name Brachel include Brack, Bracke, Brach, Brache, Brak, Brakk, Brakke, Bracken, Brakken, Brachen, Bracker, Brakker, Bracher, Brackner, Brakkner, Brachner, Brackel, Brackell, Brachel, Brachell, Brakkel and many more.

Early Notables of the Brachel family

More information is included under the topic Early Brachel Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Brachel family

German settlers were among the most common to come to North America between the mid-17th and mid-20th centuries. Poverty and religious persecution drove many Bavarians to make this long trek. tenant farmers were also enticed by the prospect of owning land. From east to west, these German immigrants populated the United States, settling in Pennsylvania, Texas, New York, Illinois, and California. Ontario and the prairie provinces of Canada also provided homes to many. Early settlers bearing the Brachel surname or a spelling variation of the name include: James Bracke who settled in Virginia in 1666; Rudolph Brack, who arrived in Philadelphia in 1733; Anne Brack, age 30; who arrived in New York in 1851 with Jacob, age 9 months.


Contemporary Notables of the name Brachel (post 1700) +

  • Baron Maximilian Freiherr von Brachel (d. 1964), Lord of Brachel, the last German owner of Tetz Castle, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany


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