Brown History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Brown family name is thought to be of Norman origins. It comes from an early member of the family who was a person who has brown hair or brown eyes, or dresses habitually in brown. [1]

The name springs from similar roots in Old English, Old English, Old Norse, Old French, Old German. It is also possible that a given instance of the name is derived from a short form of an Old English personal name such as Brunwine or Brungar.

Early Origins of the Brown family

The surname Brown was first found in Cumberland, where the Brown family held a family seat and claim descent from Le Brun in Normandy, who was granted many estates there soon after the Conquest. However, many of the family remained in Normandy where Gilbert and William le Brun were listed in 1185 according to the Magni Rotuli Scaccarii Normanniae. [2]

“This ancient and wide-spreading name, which occurs in early writings in a great variety of forms, as Le Brun, de Bron, Broun, Brune, Brunn, &c., stands 50th on the Battle Roll, and has the peculiar distinction of having produced twenty-one different families in the United Kingdom, who have received from the Sovereign hereditary titles of Nobility.” [3]

“As Le Brun or Brunnus, it frequently occurs in the Norman Exchequer Rolls of the twelfth century, and is several times written in Domesday Book. William le Brun held in Suffolk; and Bruno (perhaps the same) in Warwickshire: besides “Brun Presbyter” in Oxfordshire. [4]

“Of these, the most considerable-that of the Viscounts Montague-was an offset of the great Norman house of La Ferte, who held the barony of La Ferte (now La Ferte Fresnel) near Evreux. Hugh de la Ferte is mentioned by Wace at Hastings. Richard de la Ferte accompanied Robert of Normandy to Palestine in 1096, and his youngest son, Gamel, surnamed Le Brun (according to family tradition to distinguish him from a brother called Le Blond), settled in Cumberland, where he had baronial grants from Waldeve FitzGospatric, and his descendants long flourished, the name gradually changing to Broyne, Broun, or Browne.” [4]

Some of the family were found at early times at Tacolneston in Norfolk where they held estates. “The Hall, a fine brick mansion, is a good specimen of the domestic style prevalent in the 17th century; it is said to have been built in 1670, by the Browne family, who then held the estate.” [5]

Another branch was found in the parish of Thrigby, again in Norfolk. “The principal part [of Thrigby] belongs to Thomas Browne, Esq., who resides at the Hall, a neat mansion of white brick.” [5]

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 eludes to the use of the name in a variety of early spelling and as a forename and surname: Brun Ednth, Salop; Matilda relicta Brun, Oxfordshire; and Brune relicta Johannis, Cambridgeshire; Hugh le Brun, Suffolk; Robert le Brun, Buckinghamshire; and Johanna la Brune, Oxfordshire. [6]

Up north in Scotland, the family are generally though to have migrated there from Cumberland. “Gamel, son of Brun came into possession of Bothel (now Boode) in the time of Henry I (1100-1135). Gilchrist, son of Bruun witnessed a charter by R. son of Dunegal to the Hospital of S. Peter of York c. 1136, Patric Brun witnessed resignation of land of Weremundebi (Warmanbie in Annandale) and Anant between 1194-1214. Ricardus Brun witnessed a charter by Ebrardus de Penkathleht (Pencaitland near Edinburgh) to the church of S. Cuthbert of Durham in the reign of William the Lion. Several individuals of this name are recorded in the thirteenth century, but what connection, if any, existed between them is not known.” [7]

Early History of the Brown family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Brown research.

Brown Spelling Variations

Endless spelling variations are a prevailing characteristic of Norman surnames. Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules, and the introduction of Norman French added an unfamiliar ingredient to the English linguistic stew. French and Latin, the languages of the court, also influenced spellings. Finally, Medieval scribes generally spelled words according to how they sounded, so one person was often referred to by different spellings in different documents. The name has been spelled Brown, Broun, Brun and others.

Early Notables of the Brown family (pre 1700)

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Sir Anthony Browne (1443-1506), during the reign of King Henry VII, he was Standard Bearer of England, Governor of Queenborough Castle, and Constable of Calais; Sir Richard Browne, 1st Baronet (ca. 1610-1669), English Major-General in the English Parliamentary Army during the English Civil War and later Lord Mayor of London; Sir Thomas Browne (1605-1682), an English author; Francis Browne, 3rd Viscount Montagu (1610-1682); Sir Richard Browne, 1st Baronet of Deptford (ca. 1605-1682), an English ambassador to the court of France at Paris from 1641 to 1660; Sir Richard Browne, 2nd Baronet (ca.1634-1684), English.

Brown World Ranking

In the United States, the name Brown is the 5^th most popular surname with an estimated 1,544,427 people with that name. [8] However, in Canada, the name Brown is ranked the 2^ndmost popular surname with an estimated 108,859 people with that name. [9] And in Quebec, Canada, the name Brown is the 350^th popular surname. [10] Newfoundland, Canada ranks Brown as 8^th with 1,140 people. [11] France ranks Brown as 1,837^th with 3,343 people. [12]Australia ranks Brown as 4^th with 105,078 people. [13] New Zealand ranks Brown as 4^th with 8,365 people. [14] The United Kingdom ranks Brown as 3^rd with 272,112 people. [15] South Africa ranks Brown as 189^th with 34,381 people. [16]

 Migration of the Brown family to Ireland

Some of the Brown family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.

 Brown migration to the United States +

To escape the political and religious persecution within England at the time, many English families left for the various British colonies abroad. The voyage was extremely difficult, though, and the cramped, dank ships caused many to arrive in the New World diseased and starving. But for those who made it, the trip was most often worth it. Many of the families who arrived went on to make valuable contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families reveals a number of immigrants bearing the name Brown or a variant listed above: 

Brown Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

• Abraham Brown, who arrived in Watertown, Massachusetts in 1630 [17]
• Mr. John Brown, British settler, from London who sailed from Isle of Wright arriving in Salem, Massachusetts in 1630 aboard the ship “Talbot” as part of the Winthrop Fleet [18]
• Mr. Samuel Brown, British settler, from London who sailed from Isle of Wright arriving in Salem, Massachusetts in 1630 aboard the ship “Talbot” as part of the Winthrop Fleet [18]
• Edward Brown, who arrived in Salem, Massachusetts in 1635 [17]
• Edmund Brown, who arrived in New England in 1637 [17]

Brown Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

• Ellinor Brown, who arrived in Virginia in 1700 [17]
• Duksell Brown, who landed in Virginia in 1701 [17]
• Bridgett Brown, who landed in Virginia in 1713 [17]
• Ellen Brown, who arrived in Virginia in 1714 [17]
• Arthur Brown, who arrived in New England in 1729 [17]

Brown Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

• Godlip Brown, who landed in New York in 1801 [17]
• Biddy Brown, aged 38, who landed in America in 1803 [17]
• Barbara Brown, aged 18, who landed in New York, NY in 1804 [17]
• Widow Brown, aged 60, who arrived in New York, NY in 1804 [17]
• Hamilton Brown, aged 35, who arrived in New York, NY in 1804 [17]

Brown Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

• Mr. Richard Brown, (b. 1865), aged 35, Cornish quarryman travelling aboard the ship “Servia” arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 12th September 1900 en route to Bangor, Pennsylvania, USA [19]
• Mr. William Brown, (b. 1897), aged 3, Cornish settler travelling aboard the ship “St Louis” arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 8th September 1900 en route to New York, USA [19]
• Mr. Louis Brown, (b. 1895), aged 5, Cornish settler travelling aboard the ship “St Louis” arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 8th September 1900 en route to New York, USA [19]
• Mr. Nathan Brown, (b. 1899), aged 11 months, Cornish settler travelling aboard the ship “St Louis” arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 8th September 1900 en route to New York, USA [19]
• Mrs. Nellie Brown, (b. 1873), aged 27, Cornish settler travelling aboard the ship “St Louis” arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 8th September 1900 en route to New York, USA [19]

 Brown migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were: 

Brown Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

• Mr. Brown, who arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1749-1752
• Danl Brown, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1749
• David Brown, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1749
• Edward Brown, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1749
• Francis Brown, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1749

Brown Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

• William Brown, aged 20, who arrived in Canada in 1811
• William Brown, aged 20, who landed in Canada in 1811
• William Brown, who arrived in Canada in 1820
• Andrew Brown, who arrived in Canada in 1821
• William Brown, aged 16, who arrived in Canada in 1823

Brown Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century

• H Brown, who landed in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1907

 Brown migration to Australia+

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include: 

Brown Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century

• Mr. John Brown, English convict who was convicted in York, Yorkshire, England for life, transported aboard the “Barwell” in September 1797, arriving in New South Wales, Australia[20]
• Mr. William Brown, English convict who was convicted in Leicester, Leicestershire, England for life, transported aboard the “Barwell” in September 1797, arriving in New South Wales, Australia [20]
• Miss Mary Brown, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England fo life, transported aboard the “Britannia III” on 18th July 1798, arriving in New South Wales, Australia [21]
• Miss Mary Brown, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years , transported aboard the “Britannia III” on 18th July 1798, arriving in New South Wales, Australia [21]
• Miss Sarah Brown, (Wilson), English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years , transported aboard the “Britannia III” on 18th July 1798, arriving in New South Wales, Australia [21]

Brown Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

• Mr. John Brown, (b. 1778), aged 22, British Convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for life for breaking and entering, transported aboard the “Earl Cornwallis” in August 1800, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1828 [22]
• Mr. Joseph Brown, (John), British Convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for life, transported aboard the “Earl Cornwallis” in August 1800, arriving in New South Wales, Australia [22]
• Mr. John Brown, Irish convict who was convicted in Limerick, Ireland for 7 years, transported aboard the “Atlas” on 29th November 1801, arriving in New South Wales, Australia [23]
• Mr. Thomas Brown, Irish convict who was convicted in Limerick, Ireland for 7 years, transported aboard the “Atlas” on 29th November 1801, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, believed to have died on board [23]
• Mr. William Brown, Irish convict who was convicted in Ireland, Wexford for life, transported aboard the “Atlas” on 29th November 1801, arriving in New South Wales, Australia [23]

 Brown migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include: 

Brown Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

• Mr. William Brown, Australian settler travelling from Hobart, Tasmania, Australia aboard the ship “Bee” arriving in New Zealand in 1833 [24]
• Alfred N Brown, who landed in Bay of Islands, New Zealand in 1836
• Mr. Brown, Australian settler travelling from Sydney aboard the ship “Bee” arriving in New Zealand in 1838 [24]
• Mr. Brown, Australian settler travelling from Sydney aboard the ship “Dublin Packet” arriving in Cloudy Bay, South Island, New Zealand in 1838 [24]
• Mr. Charles Brown, (b. 1811), aged 29, British stonemason travelling from England aboard the ship “Martha Ridgway” arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 14th November 1840 [24]

Contemporary Notables of the name Brown (post 1700) +

• Millie Bobby Brown (b. 2004), British Primetime Emmy Award nominated actress and producer, known for playing Eleven in the Netflix science fiction series Stranger Things (2016-), and the Netflix mystery films Enola Holmes (2020 and 2022)
• Irving Brown (1911-1989), American trade-unionist, member of the American Federation of Labor, co-founder of the American Institute for Free Labor Development in 1962, recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom
• John Brown “of Ossawatomie” (1800-1859), American hero of Harper’s Ferry and martyr to the Abolitionists, who in inciting Negro slaves to rebellion in 1859 struck the note of alarm which resulted in the Civil War
• Herbert Charles Brown (b. 1912), American chemist and Nobel Prize in Chemistry laureate for his work with organoboranes
• Lester Raymond “Les” Brown (1912-2001), American jazz musician who led the big band Les Brown and His Band of Renown for nearly seven decades from 1938 to 2000, renowned for “Sentimental Journey” with Doris Day, and “I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm”, the Band of Renown performed with Bob Hope on radio, stage and television for almost fifty years and did 18 USO Tours
• Robert Stanford “Bob” Brown (1941-2023), nicknamed “the Boomer”, an American professional NFL football offensive tackle who played from 1964 through 1973, inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1993 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2004
• James Nathaniel “Jim” Brown (1936-2023), American NFL football fullback, civil rights activist, and actor, one of the greatest players in NFL history, three-time Most Valuable Player, inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the College Football Hall of Fame
• Les Brown Jr. (1940-2023), American jazz musician, full-time leader of the Band of Renown in 2001, from his father Lester Raymond Brown (1912-2001)
• Lieutenant Colonel Harold H. Brown (1924-2023), U.S. Army Air Force officer who served during World War II as a combat fighter pilot with the 332nd Fighter Group, best known as the Tuskegee Airmen
• Charles Edward Brown (1936-2022), American professional football offensive tackle for the Edmonton Eskimos of the CFL and one season for the 1962 American Football League’s (AFL) Oakland Raiders

The Brown Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Floreat majestas
Motto Translation: Let majesty flourish