Show ContentsBreames History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

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Breames Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Etymology of Breames

What does the name Breames mean?

The name Breames is part of the ancient legacy of the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It is a product of when the family lived in Gloucestershire, where they held the manor and lands of Breme in the village and parish of that name. 1 It is from the manorial name from which the family name is derived. The name Breames means fierce, or vigorous. 2

Early Origins of the Breames family

The surname Breames was first found in the Domesday Book of 1086 where the singular name Breme was recorded in Suffolk. 3

Later, Hugo Brem was found in the Assize Rolls for Warwickshire in 1221 and Simon Brim was listed in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1279 in Cambridgeshire. Again in Cambridgeshire, we found Agatha Breme in the Subsidy Rolls for 1327 and in the same year, Robert Brymme was listed in the Subsidy Rolls for Sussex. 2

Early History of the Breames family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Breames research. Another 81 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Breames History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Breames Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Breames has been spelled many different ways, including Breame, Bream, Breme and others.

Early Notables of the Breames family

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

Migration of the Breames family

Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Breamess to arrive in North America: William Breame who settled in Barbados in 1654; John Bream arrived in Pennsylvania in 1866 and moved westward.

The Breames 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: God is my defender
  1. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  2. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  3. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)

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