Colebrooke History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Etymology of Colebrooke

What does the name Colebrooke mean?

The name Colebrooke has a long Anglo-Saxon heritage. The name comes from when a family lived near a cool stream. The surname Colebrooke is derived from the Old English words col, which means cool, and broc, which means brook. Thus, Colebrooke is a topographic surname, which was given to a person who resided near a physical feature such as a hill, stream, church, or type of tree. However, Colebrooke may also belong to the large category of Anglo-Saxon habitation names, which are derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads; in this case, the name Colebrooke is derived from residence in or near the settlement of Colebrook in Devon.

Early Origins of the Colebrooke family

The surname Colebrooke was first found in Surrey where they held a family seat from very ancient times, some say well before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066 A.D.

Early History of the Colebrooke family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Colebrooke research. Another 61 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Colebrooke History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Colebrooke 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 Colebrooke have been found, including Colebrooke, Colbrook, Collbrook, Colebroke, Colbroke, Collbroke and many more.

Early Notables of the Colebrooke family

Sir James Colebrooke

Colebrooke migration to the United States +

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. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America bore the name Colebrooke, or a variant listed above:

Colebrooke Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Harriet Colebrooke, who settled in Maryland in 1775

Contemporary Notables of the name Colebrooke (post 1700) +

Henry Thomas Colebrooke (1765-1837), English Orientalist