Bruton Family Crest, Coat of Arms and Name History

Bruton Origin:
England

Origins of Bruton:
This interesting and unusual name is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is a locational surname starting from the place called ‘Bruton’ in Somerset.  The place was noted in the Domesday Book of 1086 as ‘Briwetone’, and means ‘the settlement on the River Brue’, acquired from an old British (pre-Roman) river name which is related to the Celtic (Welsh) river name ‘bryw’, which means brisk, accurate, with the Old English pre 7th Century ‘tun’, settlement, information. Locational surnames were mostly acquired by those earlier inhabitants of a place who had moved to another area and were thereafter best recognized by the name of their birthplace.  The Records of the University of Oxford for 1616 records one William Bruton, of Devonshire, and the wedding of John Bruton and Mary Buckingham noted at St. Giles, Cripplegate, London in June 1648.  Since the Old and Middle English languages lacked specific spelling rules, Breton surnames have many spelling variations.  Latin and French, which were the official court languages, were also important on the spelling of surnames.  The spelling of surnames was rarely compatible in old times, and authors and church officials noted names as they sounded rather than adhering to any specific spelling rules.  Therefore, it was common to find the same individual associated to different spellings of their surname in the old records. Moreover, a large number of foreign names brought into England after the Norman Invasion, which stimulated and accentuated the alterations to the spelling of different surnames.  The name has spelled Bruton, Breton, Brutyn, Brutten, Brutone, Brewton, Brutown, Brewtowne, Bretown and much more.

Variations:
More common variations are: Brueton, Brutton, Brauton, Breuton, Brouton, Bruiton, Bruwton, Brutyon, Brutwon, Bruoton

England:
The surname Bruton first appeared in Somerset and Devon where in the latter district Auvrai le Breton held twenty-two lordships given to him by William the Champion for his service at Hastings in 1066 AD. Roger and Thomas le Breton, his followers, given Lordships in Somerset.  Bruton noted in the Domesday Book as Briwetone, and literally meant “farmstead on the River Brue,” the latter Celtic word meant “brisk.” Merged it meant, “farmstead on the brisk running river.”

The very first recorded spelling of the family was shown to be that of William de Briweton (witness), dated about 1271, in the “Somerset Assize Court Records.”  It was during the time of King Henry III who was known to be the “The Frenchman,” dated 1216 – 1272.  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.  Surnames all over the country began to develop, with unique and shocking spelling varieties of the original one.

Ireland:
Many of the people with surname Bruton had moved to Ireland during the 17th century.

United States of America:
Individuals with the surname Bruton landed in the United States in the 17th century.  Some of the people with the name Bruton who arrived in the United States in the 17th century included William Bruton, aged 22, arrived in St Christopher in 1634.  William Bruton, his wife Mary, and his son Robert who settled in Barbados in 1635.  Jon Bruton, who landed in Virginia in 1635.  Edward Bruton, who arrived in Virginia in 1637.  Sarah Bruton, who landed in Maryland in 1662.

Australia:
Some of the individuals with the surname Bruton who landed in Australia in the 19th century included Charles Bruton, aged 32, arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship “Prince Regent” in 1849.  Ellen Bruton, aged 32, arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship “Prince Regent” in 1849.  James Bruton, aged 12, arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship “Prince Regent” in 1849.  George Bruton, aged 10, arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship “Prince Regent” in 1849.  William Bruton, aged 7, arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship “Prince Regent” in 1849.

New-Zealand:
Some of the population with the surname Bruton who arrived in New Zealand in the 19th century included William Bruton, a baker, arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship “Sir George Grey” in 1864.

Here is the population distribution of the last name Bruton:
United States 7,595; South Africa 1,607; England 1,576; Australia 841; Ireland 611; Canada 323; Philippines 258; Wales 226; Mexico 105; Scotland 92

Notable People:
John Bruton was an Irish Taoiseach, Ambassador of the European Union to the United States of America.
Richard Bruton was a Deputy Leader of Fine Gael and Opposition Spokesperson on Finance in Ireland.
Bill Bruton was a center fielder for the Milwaukee Braves.
Cal Bruton was a head coach of the West Sydney Razorbacks.
C. J. Bruton was a Basketball player with the New Zealand Breakers.

Blazons & Genealogy Notes

Notes: (Exeter). Blazon: Per pale gules and azure a fesse between. two chevron argent (another, sable and gules). Crest— A demi wolf ducally crowned holding between. the paws a mule proper.