The ancient Norman culture that was established in
England after the Conquest of 1066 produced the name of Brouan. It was given to a person who has
brown hair or
brown eyes, or
dresses habitually in brown. The name springs from similar roots in Old English, Old English, Old Norse, Old French, Old German. It is also possible that a given instance of the name is derived from a short form of an Old English
personal name such as
Brunwine or
Brungar.Early Origins of the Brouan family
The surname Brouan was first found in
Cumberland, where the Brouan family held a
family seat and claim descent from Le Brun in
Normandy, who was granted many estates there soon after the Conquest. However, many of the family remained in
Normandy where Gilbert and William le Brun were listed in 1185(Magni Rotuli Scaccarii Normanniae.)
[1]CITATION[CLOSE]
The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X) Some of the family were found at early times at Tacolneston in
Norfolk where they held estates. "The Hall, a fine brick mansion, is a good specimen of the domestic style prevalent in the 17th century; it is said to have been built in 1670, by the Browne family, who then held the estate."
[2]CITATION[CLOSE]
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print. And another branch was found in the parish of Thrigby, again in
Norfolk. "The principal part [of Thrigby] belongs to Thomas Browne, Esq., who resides at the Hall, a neat mansion of white brick."
[2]CITATION[CLOSE]
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Early History of the Brouan family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Brouan research.
Another 197 words (14 lines of text) covering the years 1443, 1506, 1610, 1669, 1605, 1682, 1610, 1682, 1605, 1682, 1641, 1660, 1634, 1684, 1660, 1661, 1616, 1685, 1661, 1626, 1690, 1659, 1688, 1598, 1668, 1642, 1702, 1685, 1735, 1721 and are included under the topic Early Brouan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Brouan Spelling Variations
Multitudes of
spelling variations are a hallmark of Anglo Norman names. Most of these names evolved in the 11th and 12th century, in the time after the
Normans introduced their own Norman French language into a country where Old and Middle English had no spelling rules and the languages of the court were French and Latin. To make matters worse, medieval scribes spelled words according to sound, so names frequently appeared differently in the various documents in which they were recorded. The name was spelled Brown, Broun, Brun and others.
Early Notables of the Brouan family (pre 1700)
Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Sir Anthony Browne (1443-1506), during the reign of King Henry VII, he was Standard Bearer of
England, Governor of Queenborough Castle, and Constable of Calais; Sir Richard Browne, 1st
Baronet (ca. 1610-1669), English Major-General in the English Parliamentary Army during the English Civil...
Another 166 words (12 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Brouan Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Brouan family to Ireland
Some of the Brouan family moved to
Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 123 words (9 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Brouan family to the New World and Oceana
Because of this political and religious unrest within English society, many people decided to immigrate to the colonies. Families left for
Ireland, North America, and
Australia in enormous numbers, traveling at high cost in extremely inhospitable conditions. The New World in particular was a desirable destination, but the long voyage caused many to arrive sick and starving. Those who made it, though, were welcomed by opportunities far greater than they had known at home in
England. Many of these families went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Brouan or a variant listed above: Abigail Brown, who settled in Maryland in 1668; Alex Brown, who immigrated to Boston in 1763; Richard Brown, who came to Maryland in 1774; Hugh Brown and his wife Margory, who emigrated from
Scotland to Philadelphia in 1775.
The Brouan 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: Floreat majestas
Motto Translation: Let majesty flourish