Bratton Family Crest, Coat of Arms and Name History

Bratton Origin:

England

Origins of Bratton:

The surname of Bratton hails from the country of England, and is considered to be a locational surname. This means that it was often taken by the Lord or owner of the land from which the name derives. Others who may have take a locational surname are people who have migrated out of the area to seek out work. The easiest way to identify someone who was a stranger at that time was by the name of their birthplace. In the case of the surname of Bratton, it hails from any of the places in the country of England that share this name, such as: Bratton, which is northwest of Wellington in Shropshire, and Bratton Seymour, which is a parish and village in Somerset. The surname itself can be derived from the Old English Pre 7th Century words of “broc” which can be translated to mean “brook,” or “water meadow,” and the suffix of “tun,” which can be translated to mean “enclosure,” or “settlement.” Thus, the literal translation of the surname of Bratton is “a settlement on the brook.”

Variations:

More common variations are: Brattoni, Brattion, Brattone, Braton, Briton, Barratoni, Burratoni, Britton, Brayton, Bretton, Breton, Brattan, Brattin, Breaton, Brauton, Braytoon, Brytaon

History:

England:

The first recorded spelling of the surname of Bratton can be traced to the country of England. One person by the name of Godfrey de Bratton was mentioned in the document known as the Hundred Rolls of Wiltshire in the year of 1273. This document was ordered, decreed, and written under the reign of one King Edward I, who was known throughout the ages and commonly referred to as “The Hammer of the Scots.” King Edward I was such named due to the trials, conquests, and hardships that he created for the people of Scotland throughout his reign. King Edward I of England ruled from the year of 1272 to the year of 1307. Other mentions of the surname of Bratton in the country of England include one John de Bratton, who was mentioned as residing in the area of Somerset in the year of 1327, and one Ann Bratton, who was married to one William Pennie in the year of 1654 in Evercreech, Somerset.

United States of America:

Throughout the 17th Century, many European citizens migrated to the United States of America in search of a new life for them and their families. These citizens were often displeased with the state of the government in the countries of their birth, and the United States of America, which at that time was known as the New World, or The Colonies, promised better living conditions and freedoms that these citizens had never been afforded. This large movement of people to the United States of America was known as the European Migration. Among those who migrated to the New World were those who were known by the surname of Bratton. One Andrew Bratton, who arrived in the state of New York in the year of 1804 was the first recorded person to bear the surname of Bratton in the United States of America. It is possible that someone who bore the surname of Bratton attempted to travel to the United States earlier, and died en route.

Here is the population distribution of the last name Bratton: United States 11,503; England 704; Canada 298; Australia 163; Scotland 85; Northern Ireland 83; Ireland 16; Russia 12, Thailand 6; France 3

Notable People:

Lieutenant General Joseph K. Bratton (1926-2007) who was an Army officer and nuclear engineer from America, and who was awarded the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, in the Legion of Merit 2, and who was also awarded a Bronze Star.

David H. Bratton (1869-1904) who was a water polo player from America, and who was awarded a gold medal at the 1904 Summer Olympic games.

Heather Bratton (1987-2006) who was a fashion model from America, and who was killed in a car crash following one of her photo shoots.

Christopher Bratton, who served as the President of School of the Museum of Fine Arts, which is locared in Boston, Massachusetts, and who was an educator and administrator from America.

Robert Franklin Bratton (1845-1894) who served as a Member of the United States House of Representatives from the state of Maryland in the 1st Congressional District from the year of 1893 to the year of 1894, and who was a politician from America.

John Walter Bratton (1867-1947) who was a Tin Pan Alley composer from America, and who was also a producer of theatrical theatre.

Blazons & Genealogy Notes

Notes: None. Blazon: Sable a lion rampant argent.