Show ContentsBrulye History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Brulye

What does the name Brulye mean?

The ancient name Brulye claim descent from "the fief of Broilly, near Valognes; one of the most ancient families of Normandy, mentioned in charters of the eleventh century, and first enrolled among the nobility in 1463." 1

Early Origins of the Brulye family

The surname Brulye was first found in Bedfordshire where Osbern de Broily held lands in 1086 as listed in the Domesday Book. "The coat of the English Bruleys is in one of the windows of the parish church at Stanford, Leicestershire. Simon de Broily held lands in Warwick 2, and John de Bruilly, 1324, was summoned to a great council at Westminster." 3

"They acquired Waterstock, in Oxfordshire, by marriage, from the Foliots; Sir Henry Bruilly was in possession of it in 1279, and held it of the Bishop for one knight's fee. It remained with his descendants for six generations; and then passed to Joan de Bruilly, the daughter of the last heir, and through her to the Danvers." -Antiquities of Oxfordshire.

William de Broly held in Kent in the time of Edward I. (Rotul. Hundred); and John de Broyli in Gloucestershire 1

Robert de Bruley held Nether Aston in Warwickshire in 1185 which he renamed Aston Bruley. It was held by the family until the middle of the 15th century, when by marriage it became the property of the Danvers family.

Of this family we know that Henry de Bruley (b. 1243) married Katherine Foliot (b. 1247) and had two sons John Bruley (1278-1327) and William de Bruley (b. 1280.) This record confirms the aforementioned transfer of Waterstock Manor. Later, Alice de Bruley (c. 1308-1370) married William IV de La Spine (c.1298-1370).

Early History of the Brulye family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Brulye research. Another 128 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1095, 1412, 1455, 1487, 1510, 1556 and 1600 are included under the topic Early Brulye History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Brulye Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Bruley, Brulie, Brulye, Bruly, Brooley, Brooly, Broolie, Brewley, Brewly, Brawly and many more.

Early Notables of the Brulye family

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

Migration of the Brulye family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: the name represented in many forms and recorded from the mid 17th century in the great migration from Europe. Migrants settled in the eastern seaboard from Newfoundland, to Maine, to Virginia, the Carolinas, and to the islands..



  1. Cleveland, Dutchess of The Battle Abbey Roll with some Account of the Norman Lineages. London: John Murray, Abermarle Street, 1889. Print. Volume 1 of 3
  2. Testa de Nevill or "Liber Feodorum" or "Book of Fees," thought to have been written by Ralph de Nevill, for King John (1199–1216)
  3. 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)


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