Show ContentsBrowse History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Browse

What does the name Browse mean?

During that dark period of history known as the Middle Ages, the name of Browse was first used in Austria. While the patronymic and metronymic surnames, which are derived from the name of the father and mother respectively, are the most common form of a hereditary surname in Germany, occupational surnames also emerged during the late Middle Ages. Many people, such as the Browse family, adopted the name of their occupation as their surname. However, an occupational name did not become a hereditary surname until the office or type of employment became hereditary. The surname Browse was an occupational name for a worker at a brewery.

Early Origins of the Browse family

The surname Browse was first found in Austria, where the name Braus came from humble beginnings but gained a significant reputation for its contribution to the emerging mediaeval society. It later became more prominent as many branches of the same house acquired estates in new areas which, combined with their great contributions to society, succeeded in elevating their social status.

Early History of the Browse family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Browse research. Another 92 words (7 lines of text) covering the year 1774 is included under the topic Early Browse History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Browse Spelling Variations

In the medieval era, many different cultural groups lived in the German states. There are thus many regional variations of German surnames from that era. Westphalians spoke Low German, which is similar to modern Dutch. Many German names carry suffixes that identify where they came from. Others have phrases attached that identify something about the original bearer. Other variations in German names resulted from the fact that medieval scribes worked without the aid of any spelling rules. The spelling variations of the name Browse include Braus, Brause, Brauss, Brausse, Brausser, Browse, Browsse, Brausch, Brauch, Brauchs and many more.

Early Notables of the Browse family

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


Browse migration to Australia +

Browse Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Elizabeth Browse, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Mary Ann" in 1849 1

Contemporary Notables of the name Browse (post 1700) +

  • Sir Norman Leslie Browse FRCS FRCP (1931-2019), British surgeon, President of the States of Alderney from 2002 to 2011

HMS Vanguard
  • Mr. Charles H. Browse (1899-1917), British Ordinary Seaman, who was aboard the ship "HMS Vanguard" when she exploded in the Scapa Flow off the Orkney Islands, Scotland on 9th July 1917


  1. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) The MARY ANN 1849. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1849MaryAnn.htm


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