Breakie History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Etymology of Breakie

What does the name Breakie mean?

The roots of the Anglo-Saxon name Breakie come from when the family resided near a newly cultivated piece of land. The surname Breakie is derived from the Old English word bræc. 1

Early Origins of the Breakie family

The surname Breakie 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 Breakie family

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

Breakie Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries; therefore,spelling variations are common among early Anglo-Saxon names. As the form of the English language changed, even the spelling of literate people's names evolved. Breakie has been recorded under many different variations, including Breach, Brech, Britch, Breashears, Breashear and many more.

Early Notables of the Breakie family

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

Breakie migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Breakie Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Hugh Breakie, aged 22, a labourer, who arrived in Otago aboard the ship "Philip Laing" in 1848

Sources +

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