Branton Family Crest, Coat of Arms and Name History

Branton Origin:

England

Origins of Branton:

This unusual and interesting surname is of Anglo-Saxon in origin and is a geographical name from either of two places in the north of England named as Branton. The first one is a worker of wool in Northumberland, and the second is in the southeast of Doncaster in the West Riding of Yorkshire, or from the church and hamlet of Braunton in Devonshire. The first described place, is listed as “Bremetona”, near the year 1150, and as “Bremtun” in the Book of Fees for Northumberland, dated 1236, it is so named from the Olde English pre 7th Century words “Bremen”, which means broomy, and “tun”, which means area bounded by something, agreement. So, the whole meanings of the words are “enclosure where broom raised.” The Yorkshire place, existing as “Brantune” in the Domesday Book of 1086, and as “Bramton” in the 1240 Feet of Fines for that district, has as its first component the Olde English “brom,” sweeper, with “tun.” Braunton in Devonshire listed as “Brantona” in the Domesday Book, and as “Bramtona” in 1169, shares the similar meaning and foundation. Geographical surnames, like this, were frequently provided to local landholders, and the king of the castle, and particularly as a source of recognition to people who departed their mother town to settle another place. In 1379, one Johannes Branton was listed in the census Tax Returns documentations of Yorkshire, and in April 1539, the birth of Alse Branton recorded at Northam, Devonshire. The family monogram describes a silver cross in the mid of four gold mullets on a black shield with a red bordure.

Variations:

More common variations are: Braunton, Bryanton, Brianton, Brainton, Baranton, Brandton, Brantton, Braneton, Brantonne, Bereanton.

England:

The origins of the surname Branton were found in Norfolk where people held a family seat from early times. Some say before the success of Normans and the entrance of Duke William at Hastings 1066 A.D.

The very first recording spelling of the family was shown to be that of Ralph de Branton, dated about 1162, in the “Pipe Rolls of Northamptonshire.” It was during the time of King Henry II, who was known to be the “The Builder of Churches,” dated 1154-1189. The origin of surnames during this period became a necessity with the introduction of personal taxation. It came to be known as Poll Tax in England.

Ireland:

Many of the people with name Branton had moved to Ireland during the 17th century.

United States of America:

Individuals with the surname Branton settled in the United States in two different centuries respectively in the 17th, and 19th. Some of the people with the name Branton who landed in the United States in the 17th century included Edward Branton who landed in Virginia in the year 1637.

The following century saw many more Branton surnames arrive. Some of the population with the name Branton who arrived in the United States in the 19th century included L Branton came in San Francisco, California in the year 1860.

Here is the population distribution of the last name Branton: United States 3,500; England 914; Canada 640; Australia 158; Saudi Arabia 154; France 49; New Zealand 28; Ireland 16; Netherlands 13; Spain 12.

Notable People:

Leo Branton Jr. (February 1922 – April 2013) was an American trial advocate. He graduated from Tennessee State University and got his law degree from Northwestern University School of Law in 1948. He gave served in the Army during World War II. He supported Nat King Cole in a label conflict, along with Jimi Hendrix’s and others.

Parey Branton was born in 1918. He was an American leader and businessman from Shongaloo, Louisiana, who from the year 1960 to 1972 was a common representative of the Louisiana House of Representatives from what is now known as Division 10 in Webster church.

Ronald ‘Ron’ Branton is an old Australian rules footballer who played in the VFL between the years 1953 and 1962 for the Richmond Football Club.

Wiley A Branton (1923–1988), was a famous American lawyer.

Blazons & Genealogy Notes

Notes: None. Blazon: Sa. a cross ar. betw. four mullets or, a bordure gu.