Show ContentsBronscoomb History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Bronscoomb

What does the name Bronscoomb mean?

Of all the Anglo-Saxon names to come from Britain, Bronscoomb is one of the most ancient. The name is a result of the original family having lived in Devon, where they held a family seat at Branscombe in the 9th century. Shortly after the Norman Conquest the estates of Branscombe were owned by the Bishop of Exeter and according to the Domesday Book, 1 150 sheep were part of the holdings contributed to the supplies of the Abbey of Exeter.

Early Origins of the Bronscoomb family

The surname Bronscoomb was first found in Devon at Branscombe, a village that dates back to the ninth century. At that time, the village was named Branecescumbe but by the Domesday Book of 1086, it was listed there as Branchescome. The estates of Branscombe were owned by the Bishop of Exeter and the 150 sheep which was part of the holdings contributed to the supplies of the Abbey of Exeter. 1 The place name literally means "valley of a man called Branoc," for the Celtic personal name + the Old English "Cumb." 2 One of the earliest records of the surname was Walter Branscombe (Bronscombe, Branescombe, Bronescombe, Bronescomb c. 1220-1280), born in Exeter, an early English priest, Bishop of Exeter from 1258 to 1280; he is buried in Exeter Castle.

"The church [of Colon, Cornwall] is said to have been erected and endowed by Walter Bronscomb, bishop of Exeter, about the year 1250, and by him appropriated to the Augustine canons of his college of Glaseney near Penryn." 3

Early History of the Bronscoomb family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bronscoomb research. Another 109 words (8 lines of text) covering the year 1327 is included under the topic Early Bronscoomb History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bronscoomb Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Bronscoomb has been spelled many different ways, including Brancomb, Bronscombe, Branscom, Bronscom and others.

Early Notables of the Bronscoomb family

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

Migration of the Bronscoomb family

Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Bronscoombs to arrive in North America: James Branscomb who settled in Barbados in 1692.



  1. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  2. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  3. Hutchins, Fortescue, The History of Cornwall, from the Earliest Records and Traditions to the Present Time. London: William Penaluna, 1824. Print


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