Britay History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Ireland
Scotland

Etymology of Britay

What does the name Britay mean?

The Pictish clans of ancient Scotland were the ancestors of the first people to use the name Britay. It comes from in the lands of Brodie, in the barony of Moray where the family at one time held territories. King Alexander III had granted their lands. Checking further we found the name was derived from the Gaelic word broth which means ditch.

Early Origins of the Britay family

The surname Britay was first found in Moray, where they held a family seat from very ancient times, some say well before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066 A.D.

Early History of the Britay family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Britay research. Another 147 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1311, 1386, 1466, 1550, 1617, 1645 and 1680 are included under the topic Early Britay History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Britay Spelling Variations

Translation has done much to alter the appearance of many Scottish names. It was a haphazard process that lacked a basic system of rules. Spelling variations were a common result of this process. Britay has appeared Brodie, Brody, Brodey, Brodye, Broadie, Broffee, Broffy, Brophie, Brophey, Brothie, Brophy, Brodley, Brothy and many more.

Early Notables of the Britay family

Another 34 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Britay Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Britay family to Ireland

Some of the Britay family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Britay family

Many Scots left their country to travel to the North American colonies in search of the freedom they could not find at home. Of those who survived the difficult voyage, many found the freedom they so desired. There they could choose their own beliefs and allegiances. Some became United Empire Loyalists and others fought in the American War of Independence. The Clan societies and highland games that have sprung up in the last century have allowed many of these disparate Scots to recover their collective national identity. A search of immigration and passenger ship lists revealed many early settlers bearing the Britay name: Andrew Brodie who arrived in Philadelphia in 1811; Robert Brodie with wife and six children arrived in New York in 1775; Edward Brodie arrived in Philadelphia in 1813.

The Britay 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: Unite