Branscumbe History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Etymology of Branscumbe

What does the name Branscumbe mean?

The origins of the Branscumbe name come from when the Anglo-Saxon tribes ruled over Britain. The name Branscumbe was originally derived from a family having 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 Branscumbe family

The surname Branscumbe 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 Branscumbe family

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

Branscumbe Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, French and other languages became incorporated into English through the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Branscumbe include Brancomb, Bronscombe, Branscom, Bronscom and others.

Early Notables of the Branscumbe family

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

Migration of the Branscumbe family

A great wave of immigration to the New World was the result of the enormous political and religious disarray that struck England at that time. Families left for the New World in extremely large numbers. The long journey was the end of many immigrants and many more arrived sick and starving. Still, those who made it were rewarded with an opportunity far greater than they had known at home in England. These emigrant families went on to make significant contributions to these emerging colonies in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers carried this name or one of its variants: James Branscomb who settled in Barbados in 1692.

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