Brenton Family Crest, Coat of Arms and Name History
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Origins of Brenton:
This unusual surname is of Anglo-Saxon origin, and is a geographical name from any of four regions in England which have as their first component, the Olde English pre 7th Century male given name “Bryni” (from “bryne”, which means fire, flame), together with the patronymic addition of “-ing”, which means sons, dependents of, and “tun”, which means an area bounded by some barrier, hamlet. These regions are: Brinton, a church in south-west of Holt in Norfolk, noted as “Brinton” in the 1197 Pipe Rolls, and “Bryneton” in 1291, Brington in Huntingdonshire and Northamptonshire, listed respectively as “Brynintune” in the Anglo-Saxon Chartulary, dated 974, and as “Brintone” in the Domesday Book of 1086 for Northamptonshire. Brineton in Staffordshire and Brenton near Exminster in Devonshire. Geographical surnames, like this, were originally given to local landholders, and the king of the castle, and especially as a source of recognition to those who moved from their mother town to settle another place. In 1273, one Thomas de Brinton listed in the Hundred Rolls of Huntingdonshire. The naming of Catherine Brenton took place at Crediton, Devonshire, in March 1604, and in April 1616, Christofer Brenton named at St. Botolph’s, Colchester, Essex. Two remarkable name ancestors recorded in the “National Biography,” like Edward Pelham Brenton (1774 – 1839), a navy captain, and Sir Jahleel Brenton (1776 – 1844), vice-administrator of the Navy.
More common variations are: Bryenton, Barenton, Bruenton, Brentton, Brentton, Breneton, Berenton, Breinton, Borenton, Brewneton, Brewinton.
The origins of the surname Brenton appeared in Herefordshire where people held a family seat from early times. Someone say better 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 Adam de Brinton, dated about 1272, in the “Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire.” It was during the time of King Edward I, who was known to be the “The Hammer of the Scots,” dated 1272-1307. 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.
Many of the people with surname Brenton had moved to Ireland during the 17th century.
United States of America:
Individuals with the surname Brenton landed in the United States in two different centuries respectively in the 17th and 19th. Some of the people with the name Brenton who arrived in the United States in the 17th century included William Brenton who settled in Newport, Rhode Island in 1630. William Brenton, who arrived in Boston, Massachusetts in 1634. John Brenton, who came to Maryland in 1670.
The following century saw much more Brenton surnames come. Some of the people with the surname Brenton who arrived in the United States in the 19th century included Mr. Brenton, who landed in San Francisco, California in 1850. Luciano Maria Brenton, who landed in Puerto Rico in 1878.
The following century saw much more Brenton surnames arrive. People with the surname Brenton who settled in Canada in the 18th century included Samuel Brenton, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1760.
Some of the individuals with the surname Brenton who landed in Australia in the 19th century included James Brenton arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship “Isabella Watson” in 1846. John Brenton arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship “Himalaya” in 1849. John Brenton arrived in South Australia in 1849 aboard the ship “Himalaya.” John Brenton arrived in South Australia in 1851 aboard the ship “Sultana.”
Some of the population with the surname Brenton who arrived in New Zealand in the 19th century included Ellen Brenton arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship “Portland” in 1864.
Here is the population distribution of the last name Brenton: United States 2,303; Canada 906; England 850; Australia 642; South Africa 110; New Zealand 76; Sweden 58; Wales 45; Rusia 6; Czech Republic 4.
Marianne Brenton (1933–2013), was an American political leader.
Blazons & Genealogy Notes
1) Motto—Go through. Gu. a lion ramp. betw. three martlets ar. on a canton or, the stern of a ship of the line ppr. Crest—Out of a naval crown or, the rim or circle inscribed with the word Spartan, a swan ar. guttee de sang.
2) (Herefordshire). Ar. a chev. gu. betw. three martlets sa.
3) Ar. two bars gu. on a canton of the second a cross of the first. Crest—A demi savage affrontee handcuffed ppr.