Bramhill History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland
Scotland

The name Bramhill is an old Anglo-Saxon name. It comes from when a family lived in Bramhall in Greater Manchester. Bromale was a township in the parish of Stockport.

Early Origins of the Bramhill family

The surname Bramhill was first found in Greater Manchester where the place dates back to at least the Domesday Book where it is listed as Bramale (Bromale.) 1 In more recent years, the township is known as Bramhall and is found in the parish and union of Stockport, hundred of Macclesfield, Chester.

"The manorial mansion is a curious edifice of timber and brick plastered over; it stands on elevated ground, and possesses great interest, as part of the wooden building is supposed to date as far back as the reign of John. At the south-east angle is the domestic chapel, apparently of the time of Richard III., having a flat panelled roof, and a considerable quantity of painted glass in the windows." 2

The place name literally means "nook of land where broom grows" derived from the Old English words "brom" + "halh" 3.

The first record of the family was listed in the source, Earwaker's East Cheshire where Mathew de Bromale was listed as holding lands in Cheshire, temp. 1150. 4

Some of the family has Scottish roots as noted by Broomhall Castle, built in 1874, located in Menstrie, Clackmannanshire, Scotland. It is still in good condition and today is in use as a hotel.

Early History of the Bramhill family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bramhill research. Another 123 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1502, 1594, 1595, 1602, 1616, 1628, 1633, 1635, 1639, 1642, 1644, 1653, 1654, 1659, 1660, 1661, 1662, 1663, 1664, 1666 and 1781 are included under the topic Early Bramhill History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bramhill Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Bramhill were recorded, including Bramhall, Bramall, Bramhill, Brammall, Bramwell and others.

Early Notables of the Bramhill family

Notables of the family at this time include John Bramhall, Mayor of Pontefract in 1502; and John Bramhall (1594 -1663) an Anglican theologian and apologist, Archbishop of Armagh, Primate of All Ireland. He was born in Pontefract...
Another 37 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Bramhill Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Bramhill family to Ireland

Some of the Bramhill family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 250 words (18 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Bramhill family

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Bramhill family emigrate to North America: Thomas Bromhall, who settled in Maryland in 1673; Charles Bromhall, a child apprentice who came to Antigua (Antego) in 1737; George Bramhall who settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1858.

The Bramhill 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: Sanguine Christe tuo
Motto Translation: By Thy Blood O' Christ.

Citations +

Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)