Brews History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

Etymology of Brews

What does the name Brews mean?

The name Brews was carried to England in the enormous movement of people that followed the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Brews family lived in Norfolk. Historians disagree on which of three regions of Normandy the name is drawn from, Brix, Le Brus, or Briouze, but whatever the region the name is clearly from Normandy.

Early Origins of the Brews family

The surname Brews was first found in Suffolk at Little Wenham, a parish, in the incorporation and hundred of Samford. "The church contains memorials to the family of Brewes. Here are the remains of an old castellated mansion, the seat of that ancient family, by whom it appears to have been erected in 1569; it has been converted into a granary." 1

Early History of the Brews family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Brews research. Another 73 words (5 lines of text) covering the year 1500 is included under the topic Early Brews History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Brews Spelling Variations

Endless spelling variations are a prevailing characteristic of Norman surnames. Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules, and the introduction of Norman French added an unfamiliar ingredient to the English linguistic stew. French and Latin, the languages of the court, also influenced spellings. Finally, Medieval scribes generally spelled words according to how they sounded, so one person was often referred to by different spellings in different documents. The name has been spelled Brewes, Brews, Brewe, Brewse, Brewis, Brew, Brewas, Brewase, Brue, MacBrew and many more.

Early Notables of the Brews family

Sir Robert Brewse, namesake of the senior line, King Robert the Bruce

Migration of the Brews family to Ireland

Some of the Brews family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 35 words (2 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Brews migration to Australia +

Brews Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Peter Brews, aged 25, who arrived in South Australia in 1855 aboard the ship "William Stevenson" 2

Sources +

Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
South Australian Register Friday 2nd February 1855. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) William Stevenson 1855. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/williamstevenson1855.shtml