Brownradge History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland
England

Etymology of Brownradge

What does the name Brownradge mean?

The Brownradge family roots are found in the Boernician Clan of ancient Scotland. They lived in or near one of the towns called Brownrigg, or Brownridge, in England. This surname comes from the Old English words brùn and hrycg, which mean brown and ridge, respectively. This surname was most commonly found in Yorkshire, however, the places called Brownrigg were found in Cumberland. This indicates that the bearer's of the surname Brownradge possibly moved from Cumberland to Yorkshire at some point.

Early Origins of the Brownradge family

The surname Brownradge was first found in East Lothian, where they held a family seat from very early times. "The lands of Alanshaw had as one boundary Burnerig (now Brounrig) in the time of Alan the Steward. " 1

Early History of the Brownradge family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Brownradge research. Another 93 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1089, 1592, 1642 and 1659 are included under the topic Early Brownradge History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Brownradge Spelling Variations

In the Middles Ages scribes spelled names by their sound. Often a name was written under a different spelling variation each time it was recorded. Brownradge has appeared as Brownrigg, Brownridge, Burnrig, Brownrig and others.

Early Notables of the Brownradge family

Ralph Brownrigg or Brownrig (1592-1659), Bishop of Exeter (1642 to 1659), Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge; and Sir Thomas Brownrigg who became noted for his diplomacy...
Another 26 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Brownradge Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Brownradge family to Ireland

Some of the Brownradge 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 Brownradge family

The ancestors of Boernician-Scottish settlers dot North America even today. They settled all along the east coast when they came over, but some went north as United Empire Loyalists at the time of the War of Independence. However, these strong lines endured as Scottish families in the United States and Canada have rediscovered much of the heritage that was taken from them centuries ago. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America carried the name Brownradge, or a variant listed above: Mathew Brownridge settled in Virginia in 1637.

The Brownradge 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: Virtute et sapientia
Motto Translation: By virtue and wisdom.

Sources +

Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)