Show ContentsBrigneil History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Anglo-Saxon name Brigneil comes from the family having resided in or near the village of Brignall near Greta Bridge close to Barnard Castle, in the North Riding of Yorkshire. It was transferred to County Durham for administrative and ceremonial purposes on 1 April 1974.

Early Origins of the Brigneil family

The surname Brigneil was first found in Yorkshire. However, Bracknell is a town and civil parish in the Borough of Bracknell Forest in Berkshire. It dates back to AD 942 as Braccan heal, and may meant "nook of land belonging to a man called Bracca", from the Old English personal name + halh. 1

Early History of the Brigneil family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Brigneil research. Another 264 words (19 lines of text) covering the years 1086, 1313, 1327, 1379, 1400, 1409, 1500, 1664, 1675 and 1764 are included under the topic Early Brigneil History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Brigneil Spelling Variations

Brigneil has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Spelling variants included: Brignall, Brignal, Brigenehall, Brigenhale, Briggenale, Brigkenhall, Brignell, Bricnell and many more.

Early Notables of the Brigneil family

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

Migration of the Brigneil family

In an attempt to escape the chaos experienced in England, many English families boarded overcrowded and diseased ships sailing for the shores of North America and other British colonies. Those families hardy enough, and lucky enough, to make the passage intact were rewarded with land and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families became important contributors to the young colonies in which they settled. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Brigneils to arrive on North American shores: Richard Brignall, who arrived in Virginia in 1640; and Thomas Brignal, who settled in Ontario in 1861.



  1. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)


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