Branscombe History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Etymology of Branscombe

What does the name Branscombe mean?

The lineage of the name Branscombe begins with the Anglo-Saxon tribes in Britain. It is a result of when they lived in Devon, where they held a family seat at Branscombe in the 9th century. The place name literally means "valley of a man called Branoc," for the Celtic personal name + the Old English "Cumb." 1

Early Origins of the Branscombe family

The surname Branscombe was first found in Devon at Branscombe, a village that dates back to the ninth century. At that time, the village was named Branecescumbe but by the Domesday Book of 1086, it was listed there as Branchescome. 2

At that time, the estates of Branscombe were owned by the Bishop of Exeter and the 150 sheep which was part of the holdings contributed to the supplies of the Abbey of Exeter. 2 One of the earliest records of the surname was Walter Branscombe (Bronscombe, Branescombe, Bronescombe, Bronescomb c. 1220-1280), born in Exeter, an early English priest, Bishop of Exeter from 1258 to 1280; he is buried in Exeter Castle.

"The church [of Colon, Cornwall] is said to have been erected and endowed by Walter Bronscomb, bishop of Exeter, about the year 1250, and by him appropriated to the Augustine canons of his college of Glaseney near Penryn." 3

Early History of the Branscombe family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Branscombe research. Another 109 words (8 lines of text) covering the year 1327 is included under the topic Early Branscombe History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Branscombe Spelling Variations

Only recently has spelling become standardized in the English language. As the English language evolved in the Middle Ages, the spelling of names changed also. The name Branscombe has undergone many spelling variations, including Brancomb, Bronscombe, Branscom, Bronscom and others.

Early Notables of the Branscombe family

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

Branscombe migration to Canada +

To escape the unstable social climate in England of this time, many families boarded ships for the New World with the hope of finding land, opportunity, and greater religious and political freedom. Although the voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, those families that arrived often found greater opportunities and freedoms than they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make significant contributions to the rapidly developing colonies in which they settled. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Branscombe were among those contributors:

Branscombe Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Mr. Arthur Branscombe U.E. who settled in Canada c. 1783 4

Branscombe migration to Australia +

Branscombe Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Louisa Branscombe, aged 30, who arrived in South Australia in 1849 aboard the ship "Harry Lorrequer" 5
Louisa Branscombe, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Harry Lorrequer" in 1849 5

Contemporary Notables of the name Branscombe (post 1700) +

Peter John Branscombe (1929-2008), English academic
Robert Branscombe (b. 1952), English professional footballer
Alan Branscombe (1936-1986), English jazz pianist, vibraphonist, and alto saxophonist
Gena Branscombe (1881-1977), Canadian pianist, composer, music educator and choir conductor

Sources +

Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Hutchins, Fortescue, The History of Cornwall, from the Earliest Records and Traditions to the Present Time. London: William Penaluna, 1824. Print
Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) HARRY LORREQUER 1849. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1849HarryLorrequer.htm