Show ContentsBrages History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Brages

What does the name Brages mean?

In ancient Anglo-Saxon England, the ancestors of the Brages surname lived near a newly cultivated piece of land. The surname Brages is derived from the Old English word bræc. 1

Early Origins of the Brages family

The surname Brages was first found in Shropshire where Peter de la Breche was listed in the Assize Rolls of 1221. A few years later, Peter de la Brach was listed in Surrey in 1248 and Philip atte Breche was found in the Subsidy Rolls for Sussex in 1296. Later again, Rose atte Brache was listed in the Subsidy Rolls for Bedfordshire in 1309. Robert le Brechere was listed at Oseney, Oxfordshire in 1245, while William le Brechere was found in Cornwall in 1297. 1

Early History of the Brages family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Brages research. Another 77 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Brages History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Brages Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Brages are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Brages include: Breach, Brech, Britch, Breashears, Breashear and many more.

Early Notables of the Brages family

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

Migration of the Brages family

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Brages or a variant listed above: William Breach junior who settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1844; A. Breach arrived in San Francisco Cal. in 1852; Adam Brech arrived in Philadelphia in 1743.



  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)


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