Breises History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland
England

Etymology of Breises

What does the name Breises mean?

The age-old Pictish-Scottish family name Breises is derived from the Gaulish saint Bricius, a nephew of St. Martin of Tours in the 5th century. From Gaelic, the name means quick or speedy.

Early Origins of the Breises family

The surname Breises was first found in Morayshire, where they held a family seat from very ancient times, around the 12th century. The name was originally Bricius, a Gaulish Saint of the fifth century, a nephew of St. Martin of Tours.

Early History of the Breises family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Breises research. Another 214 words (15 lines of text) covering the years 1189, 1203, 1296, 1370, 1532, 1569, 1570, 1636, 1648, 1690, 1696 and 1773 are included under the topic Early Breises History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Breises Spelling Variations

In medieval Scotland, names were more often spelled according to sound than any regular set of rules. An enormous number of spelling variations were the result. Over the years, the name Breises has been spelled Bryce, Brice, Bricius, Bryse, Breise, Bryces, Brices, Bryses, Breises, Bryse, Brise, Briece and many more.

Early Notables of the Breises family

Bishop Bricius of Moray; Edmund Brice (fl. 1648 - 1696), an English translator and schoolmaster; Edward Brice or Bryce (1569?-1636), Scottish Presbyterian minister; and Elizabeth Brice (Amadas) (died 1532), a lady at the royal court of King Henry VIII of England who was accused of treason and claimed to be a mistress of the king. Thomas Brice (d. 1570), was an English martyrologist who was engaged early in Queen Mary's reign in bringing Protestant books 'from Wesel...
Another 76 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Breises Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Breises family to Ireland

Some of the Breises family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 72 words (5 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 Breises family

In such difficult times, Ireland, Australia, and North America looked like better homes for many Scots. The trips were expensive and grueling, but also rewarding, as the colonies were havens for those unwelcome in the old country. That legacy did not die easily, though, and many were forced to fight for their freedom in the American War of Independence. The Scottish legacy has resurface in more recent times, though, through Clan societies, highland games, and other organizations. Immigration and passenger lists have shown many early immigrants bearing the old Scottish name of Breises: William Bryce who settled in Virginia in 1654; followed by James in 1659; Alexander, Ann, Jane, Mary, and William Bryce, settled in New York, N.Y. in 1774.

The Breises 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: Fiat justitia
Motto Translation: Let justice be done.