Bramwel History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland
Scotland

The ancestors of the name Bramwel date back to the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. The name is derived from when the Bramwel family lived in Bramhall in Greater Manchester. Bromale was a township in the parish of Stockport.

Early Origins of the Bramwel family

The surname Bramwel 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 Bramwel family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bramwel 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 Bramwel History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bramwel 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 Bramwel 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 Bramwel include: Bramhall, Bramall, Bramhill, Brammall, Bramwell and others.

Early Notables of the Bramwel 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 Bramwel Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Bramwel family to Ireland

Some of the Bramwel 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 Bramwel 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 Bramwel or a variant listed above: 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 Bramwel 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)