Show ContentsBrewis History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Anglo-Saxon name Brewis comes from when the family resided in or near the brewhouse. The name was also likely derived from the French word Broase in Normandy. However, in England, the name was principally found in Yorkshire.

Early Origins of the Brewis family

The surname Brewis was first found in Yorkshire, where they held a family seat from ancient times.

Early History of the Brewis family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Brewis research. Another 237 words (17 lines of text) covering the years 1302, 1332, 1379, 1500, 1703, 1739 and 1760 are included under the topic Early Brewis History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Brewis 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. Brewis has been recorded under many different variations, including Brewhouse, Brewhous, Breuhouse, Breuhous, Brewhus, Bruhus, Brewis, Brewas and many more.

Early Notables of the Brewis family

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

Migration of the Brewis family

For many English families, the political and religious disarray that shrouded England made the far away New World an attractive prospect. On cramped disease-ridden ships, thousands migrated to those British colonies that would eventually become Canada and the United States. Those hardy settlers that survived the journey often went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Brewis or a variant listed above: a number of settlers who arrived in the New World by the 19th century.


Contemporary Notables of the name Brewis (post 1700) +

  • Henry Brewis (1932-2000), English artist and humourous poet
  • Lady Anne Brewis MBE (1911-2002), English botanist, daughter of Roundell Cecil Palmer, 3rd Earl of Selborne
  • John Thomas "Tom" Brewis (1907-1975), English footballer who played from 1928 to 1939
  • Robert Brewis, English professional footballer who played from 1907 to 1909
  • John "Henry" Brewis (1920-1989), Scottish Unionist Party politician and barrister, Member of Parliament for Galloway (1959-1974), Lord Lieutenant of Wigtown (1981-1989)
  • Johannes Daniel "Hannes" Brewis (1920-2007), South African rugby union player
  • Peter Brewis, British composer and instrumentalist
  • John Beverley Brewis (1920-1989), British politician and barrister, Member of Parliament for Galloway (1959-1974)


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