Breake History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Etymology of Breake

What does the name Breake mean?

The Anglo-Saxon name Breake comes from the family having resided near a newly cultivated piece of land. The surname Breake is derived from the Old English word bræc. 1

Early Origins of the Breake family

The surname Breake was first found in Shropshire where Peter de la Breche was listed in the Assize Rolls of 1221. A few years later, Peter de la Brach was listed in Surrey in 1248 and Philip atte Breche was found in the Subsidy Rolls for Sussex in 1296. Later again, Rose atte Brache was listed in the Subsidy Rolls for Bedfordshire in 1309. Robert le Brechere was listed at Oseney, Oxfordshire in 1245, while William le Brechere was found in Cornwall in 1297. 1

Early History of the Breake family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Breake research. Another 77 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Breake History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Breake Spelling Variations

Breake has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Spelling variants included: Breach, Brech, Britch, Breashears, Breashear and many more.

Early Notables of the Breake family

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

Migration of the Breake family

In an attempt to escape the chaos experienced in England, many English families boarded overcrowded and diseased ships sailing for the shores of North America and other British colonies. Those families hardy enough, and lucky enough, to make the passage intact were rewarded with land and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families became important contributors to the young colonies in which they settled. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Breakes to arrive on North American shores: William Breach junior who settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1844; A. Breach arrived in San Francisco Cal. in 1852; Adam Brech arrived in Philadelphia in 1743.

Sources +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)