Show ContentsBrebazon History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Brebazon reached English shores for the first time with the ancestors of the Brebazon family as they migrated following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Brebazon family lived in the county of Kent. The family name originates in the taken duchy of Brabant in Normandy, it is from the local that the village and parish of Braborne is named. Typically then the name was used by locals of the Brabant area. Their castle was called Brabacon. 1

In Normandy the surname had come to be associated with mercenary-style soldiering, and the family was renowned as valiant fighters, particularly in William the Conqueror's army at the Battle of Hastings.

Another source claims that they assumed their surname from the Castle of Brabazon, in Normandy and it was Jaques Le Brabason, nicknamed the Great Warrior who came to the aid of William the Conqueror in his conquest of England and consequently appears on the Roll of Battle Abbey. 2

"John le Brabason, son of the Norman, fixed his residence at Betchworth, in Surrey, and was living in the reigns of Henry I. and Henry II. From him derived the Brabazons of Eaatwell, in Leicestershire, of whom was John le Brabazon, of Eastwell, slain at the Battle of Bosworth." 2

Early Origins of the Brebazon family

The surname Brebazon was first found in Surrey and Kent where they settled at Bletchworth in Surrey and Braborne in Kent. They were from the village and Castle of Brabancon in Flanders, their profession, professional soldiers.

Roger Le Barabazon (d. 1317), was an early English judge, "descended from an ancient family of Normandy. The name is variously spelt Brabaçon, Brabançon, and Brabanson, and was originally given to one of the roving bands of mercenaries common in the Middle Ages. " 3

Early History of the Brebazon family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Brebazon research. Another 99 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1172, 1552, 1580, 1625, 1645, 1651, 1682, 1684, 1685, 1686, 1688, 1691, 1715, 1737, 1751, 1763, 1772 and 1977 are included under the topic Early Brebazon History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Brebazon Spelling Variations

Anglo-Norman names tend to be marked by an enormous number of spelling variations. This is largely due to the fact that Old and Middle English lacked any spelling rules when Norman French was introduced in the 11th century. The languages of the English courts at that time were French and Latin. These various languages mixed quite freely in the evolving social milieu. The final element of this mix is that medieval scribes spelled words according to their sounds rather than any definite rules, so a name was often spelled in as many different ways as the number of documents it appeared in. The name was spelled Brabasson, Brabazon, Brabauzon, Barbazaun and others.

Early Notables of the Brebazon family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Sir William Brabazon (d. 1552), Vice-Treasurer and Lord Justice of Ireland, descended from the family of Roger le Brabazon; Sir Edward Brabazon, 1st Baron Ardee (d. 1625), who represented County Wicklow in the Irish House of Commons and served as High Sheriff...
Another 50 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Brebazon Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Brebazon family to Ireland

Some of the Brebazon family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 103 words (7 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Brebazon family

Because of the political and religious discontent in England, families began to migrate abroad in enormous numbers. Faced with persecution and starvation at home, the open frontiers and generally less oppressive social environment of the New World seemed tantalizing indeed to many English people. The trip was difficult, and not all made it unscathed, but many of those who did get to Canada and the United States made important contributions to the young nations in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers with Brebazon name or one of its variants: Barnabas Brabazon settled in Barbados and Jamaica in the year 1700.



The Brebazon 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: Vota vita mea
Motto Translation: Prayers are my life.


  1. The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
  2. Burke, John Bernard, The Roll of Battle Abbey. London: Edward Churton, 26, Holles Street, 1848, Print.
  3. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print


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