The name Briffett is
Anglo-Saxon in origin. It was a name given to a person who was the
Brevetour or private clerk. This person would write brevets for his lord, as well as write down household expenses.
Early Origins of the Briffett family
The surname Briffett was first found in
Cambridgeshire, where they held a
family seat from ancient times.
Early History of the Briffett family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Briffett research.
Another 442 words (32 lines of text) covering the years 1221, 1275, 1285, 1327, 1357, and 1500 are included under the topic Early Briffett History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Briffett Spelling Variations
Until the dictionary, an invention of only the last few
hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently,
spelling variations in names are frequently found in early
Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Briffett include Breviter, Brevitor, Brevetur, Brevetor, Brefeter, Breftour and many more.
Early Notables of the Briffett family (pre 1700)
More information is included under the topic Early Briffett Notables in all our
PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Briffett family to the New World and Oceana
Thousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in
England at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Briffett were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records: a number of settlers who arrived in the New World by the 19th century.