Show ContentsBrunwin History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Brunwin

What does the name Brunwin mean?

Brunwin is a name of Anglo-Saxon origin and came from a "baptismal name, usually written Bruning. The appellation originally referred to complexion." 1 Another source has a slightly different understanding. "This surname is derived from the name of an ancestor. 'the son of Brunwin.' It is curious to note how frequently 'w' and 'm' are interchangeable. Brunwin is sometimes found as Brumwin. In the Modern Domesday Book for Essex there are four Brunwins and two Bramwins." 2

Early Origins of the Brunwin family

The surname Brunwin was first found in Suffolk, where the family dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086 when the early Latin form of the name was Brunwinus or Brunnuinus. 3

Years later, Laurence Brunwyn was recorded in the Assize Rolls for Bedfordshire in 1247 and Richard Brunwyn was found in Lincolnshire in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1276. Later again, William Brounwyne and Geoffrey Bronwyne was entered into the Subsidy Rolls for Suffolk in 1327. 4

Looking again at the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273, we found: Henry Brunwyne, Staffordshire; John Brunwyn, Suffolk; and Richard Brunwyn, Lincolnshire. 2

Up in Scotland, "John Brwnyng was one of the 'burgenses rure manentes' of Aberdeen, 1317, and Sir John Browning was sheriff there in 1328. Willelmus Bronnyng in the parish of Fyvy was excommunicated in 1382." 5

Early History of the Brunwin family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Brunwin research. Another 145 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1066, 1247, 1276, 1327, 1647, 1667, 1682 and 1801 are included under the topic Early Brunwin History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Brunwin Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Brunwin have been found, including Brunwin, Brunswin, Brunwinus, Brunwyn, Brounwyne and many more.

Early Notables of the Brunwin family

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

Migration of the Brunwin family

Families began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become for new powerful nations. Among the first immigrants of the name Brunwin, or a variant listed above to cross the Atlantic and come to North America were : a number of settlers who arrived by the 19th century.


Contemporary Notables of the name Brunwin (post 1700) +

  • Herbert Jack Brunwin (1912-1990), English Cricketer


  1. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  2. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  3. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  4. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  5. 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)


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