Show ContentsBrebner History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Brebner family

The surname Brebner was first found in Surrey, where they held a family seat from ancient times. The name originated in the Duchy of Brabant and was transferred to England with the Norman Conquest in the 11th century.

Early History of the Brebner family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Brebner research. Another 227 words (16 lines of text) covering the years 1066, 1379, 1500, 1558 and 1868 are included under the topic Early Brebner History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Brebner Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Brabaner, Brabancon, Brabaynner, Brabynder, Brabiner, Brebner and many more.

Early Notables of the Brebner family

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


United States Brebner migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Brebner Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • James Brebner, who settled in Grenada in 1768
  • Alexander Brebner, who settled in the Virgin Islands in 1775
Brebner Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Helen Brebner, who arrived at the Port of New York in 1832

Canada Brebner migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Brebner Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Mr. John Brebner, aged 21, a clerk, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the ship "John" from Liverpool, England

Australia Brebner migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Brebner Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. John Brebner, Scottish convict who was convicted in Aberdeen, Scotland for 7 years for forgery, transported aboard the "Fanny" on 25th August 1815, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 1
  • Mr. Alexander Brebner, Scottish convict who was convicted in Aberdeen, Scotland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Camden" on 21st September 1832, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 2

New Zealand Brebner 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:

Brebner Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Thomas Brebner, aged 29, a farm labourer, who arrived in Otago aboard the ship "John Wickliffe" in 1848 3
  • Mary Brebner, aged 23, who arrived in Otago aboard the ship "John Wickliffe" in 1848 3
  • Adam Brebner, aged 5, who arrived in Otago aboard the ship "John Wickliffe" in 1848 3
  • Robert Brebner, aged 1, who arrived in Otago aboard the ship "John Wickliffe" in 1848 3
  • Mr. Brebner, British settler travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "John Wickliffe" arriving in Port Chalmers, Otago, New Zealand on 23rd March 1848 3
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Brebner (post 1700) +

  • James Brebner, American politician, Member of New York State Assembly from Columbia County, 1793-96 4
  • Ronald Gilchrist "Ron" Brebner (1881-1914), English Olympic football player
  • Sir Alexander Brebner CIE (1883-1979), British civil engineer
  • J Bartlett Brebner (1895-1957), Canadian Professor of History, Columbia University
  • Diana Brebner (1956-2001), Canadian poet, winner of the Gerald Lampert Award in 1991 and the Archibald Lampman Award in 1997
  • Gordon Brebner, Professor of Computer Systems at the University of Edinburgh


  1. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 28th September 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/fairlie
  2. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 2nd December 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/camden
  3. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  4. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 17) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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