Branah History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland
Scotland

The name Branah belongs to the early history of Britain, it's origins lie with the Anglo-Saxons. It is a product of their having lived in Bramhall in Greater Manchester. Bromale was a township in the parish of Stockport.

Early Origins of the Branah family

The surname Branah 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 Branah family

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

Branah Spelling Variations

Until the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Branah include Bramhall, Bramall, Bramhill, Brammall, Bramwell and others.

Early Notables of the Branah family (pre 1700)

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

Migration of the Branah family to Ireland

Some of the Branah 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 Branah family

Thousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in England at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Branah were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records: 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 Branah 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)