Show ContentsBryenton History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The roots of the Anglo-Saxon name Bryenton come from when the family resided in the village of Brinton in the county of Norfolk. Brinton appears in the Domesday Book as belonging to the Bishop of Thetford, and having a total value of thirty pounds.

Early Origins of the Bryenton family

The surname Bryenton was first found in Norfolk at Brinton, a parish, in the hundred of Holt. 1 The village dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086 when it was first listed as Bruntuna. Literally the place name means "estate associated with a man called Bryni," from the Old English personal name + "-ing" + "tun." 2

One of the first records of the name was Thomas Brunton or Brinton (d. 1389), Bishop of Rochester, a monk of the Benedictine house at Norwich. "He is said to have studied both at Oxford and Cambridge, and is variously described as bachelor of theology and as ‘doctor decretorum’ of the former university. Having taken up his residence in Rome, he was made penitentiary of the holy see, and on 31 Jan. 1372-3 was appointed bishop of Rochester by Gregory XI, in the room of John Hertley, prior of Rochester, whose election was set aside by the Pope." 3

Early History of the Bryenton family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bryenton research. Another 78 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1190, 1273 and 1585 are included under the topic Early Bryenton History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bryenton Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries; therefore,spelling variations are common among early Anglo-Saxon names. As the form of the English language changed, even the spelling of literate people's names evolved. Bryenton has been recorded under many different variations, including Brinton, Brinston, Brinson, Brinstone, Bryenton, Brintnell and many more.

Early Notables of the Bryenton family

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

Migration of the Bryenton family

For many English families, the political and religious disarray that shrouded England made the far away New World an attractive prospect. On cramped disease-ridden ships, thousands migrated to those British colonies that would eventually become Canada and the United States. Those hardy settlers that survived the journey often went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Bryenton or a variant listed above: Edward Brinton who settled in Virginia in 1606 before the "Mayflower"; Eliza Brintnall arrived in North America in 1682; Thomas Brinton arrived in New Jersey in 1675.



The Bryenton 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: Lux et Salus
Motto Translation: Light and safety.


  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  2. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  3. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print


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