Brewer Family Crest, Coat of Arms and Name History

Brewer Origin:

England, Germany

Origins of Name:

The surname of Brewer has two possible origins, each coming with a history and a distinct derivative. The first of these possible origins is that the surname of Brewer is an Anglo-Saxon, occupational name for a brewer of beer or ale. This possible occupational origin comes from the Old English Pre 7th Century word “breowan” which can be translated to mean “to brew” which twisted and evolved into the Middle English term “brewere.” In modern times, the surname of Brewster has multiple derivations, but the adding of the medieval suffix “-ster” denotes that this surname was at one time a feminine name, although this medieval suffix began to apply to both genders in the middle of the 13th Century. The second possible origin of the surname of Brewer is a locational surname. Locational surnames were given to the Lord of a given land, as well as the people who lived there. More commonly, this surname was given to someone who migrated out of this land, looking for work, and was most easily identified by the name of their birthplace. It is recorded as being a locational surname from the Normans, and was used to describe someone who lived on or near a place where heather grew. This locational surname derives from the Old French word of “bruyere” which can be translated to mean “heather.”

Variations:

More common variations are:

Brewery, Bruewer, Breuwer, Breweur, Brewwer, Brewerr, Brewere, Brewuer, Brewyer, Brewster

History:

England:

The first recorded spelling of the surname of Brewer was in the country of England in the year of 1086. The person who was named Ralph de Brueria was recorded and mentioned in the Doomsday Book of Devonshire in the year 1086. The Doomsday Book was said to be a “Great Survey” of England, covering a various range of topics and including all recorded names. The Doomsday Book was ordered and decreed by one King William I, who was known as and commonly referred to throughout history as “William the Conqueror, and who ruled from the year 1066 to the year 1087. Those who lived in England and bore the surname of Brewer can be found in the southwestern peninsula of England, and within the city of London.

United States of America:

During the European Migration, many English settlers were displeased with their living situation, and moved to the United States of America, searching for a better life. The first person who bore the surname of Brewer and landed in the United States of America, was one William Brewer, who arrived in the United States of America in the year 1620. Today, those who bear the surname of Brewer are found throughout the United States of America. Specifically, those who bear this surname can be found in the eastern half of the country, and in California and Texas.

Brewer Today:

United States 114,431

England 10,228

Canada 4,454

Australia 4,031

South Africa 1,699

Liberia 1,377

New Zealand 1,001

Wales 643

Scotland 538

Venezuela 527

Notable People:

Contessa Brewer (born in 1974) who was a host from the MSNBC weekend program Caught on Camera and was from America

Donald George “Don” Brewer (born in 1948) who was a drummer and co-lead singer for the rock band called Grand Funk Railroad and was from America

James Thomas “Jim” Brewer (1937-1987) who was a MLB relief pitcher who played from the year 1960 to the year 1976, who was from America

David Josiah Brewer (1837-1910) who was a jurist and an Associate Justice of of the US Supreme Court from the year 1889 to the year 1910

Gay Robert Brewer Jr. (1932-2007) who was a professional PGA golfer who was the winner of the 1976 Master’s Tournament

William Henry Brewer 91828-1910) who was a botanist, and the first Chair of Agriculture at the Yale University’s Sheffield Scientific School who was from America

Major-General Carlos Brewer (1890-1976) who was a Commanding Officer at the Heidelberg Area Command from the year 1946 to the year 1947

George Keefer Brewer (1914-1959) who was most notably known by his stage name of George Reeves, who was an American actor who was best known for his role as Superman in the 1950’s TV series

Eric A. Brewer who was a professor of computer science at the University of California at Berkeley

Samuel Brewer, who was a Member of the Connecticut State House of Representatives from East Hartford in the years 1831, the year 1833, and the year 1835

Blazons & Genealogy Notes

1) (Devonshire). Gu. two bends wavy, the first ar. the second or. Crest—A mermaid with mirror and comb ppr.
2) (Kent). Gu. two bends wavy or, a canton vair. Crest—Out of a mural coronet a hand and arm couped at the elbow, habited gu. billettee or, holding in the hand ppr. a battle-axe ar.
3) (London and Somersetshire. Her Coll. London). Gu. two bends wavy or, a chief vair, a mullet for diff. Crest—A syren (charged with a mullet for diff.) her human part ppr. her tail scaled or and gu. divided by parallel lines wavy.
4) (Bermondsey, and Norfolk). The same, without the mullet.
5) Ar. a lion ramp. tail forchee gu.