Bryant History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Bryant family

The surname Bryant was first found in Essex, where the Domesday Book of 1086 records the Latin form of the name, Radulfus filius Brien at that time. The same source also notes Briendus de Scal in Cambridgeshire. 1 The variant Brien was recorded in 1088 in Bury St Edmonds, Suffolk. 2 The Chronicles of the Mayors and Sheriffs of London, 1188-1274 list Colin Briant, London, 1269. 3

The name is “a Breton name introduced into England by the Normans. In the north, it is Olr Brian, brought by Norsemen from Ireland (where the name was common) to Cumberland and across the Pennines into Yorkshire.” 2

By the time of the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273, the family was scattered throughout ancient Britain: Wydo Bryan, Devon; Alicia Bren, Cambridgeshire; Acelot Bryvon, Cambridgeshire; Thomas filius Brian, Yorkshire; Alan filius Brian, Yorkshire; and Brian de Brampton, Gloucestershire. 3

“The intermediate stage between Brian and Briant, or Bryant, is found in the following entry: ‘1770. Married – John Briand and Barbara Backhouse’: St. George’s, Hanover Square.” 3

Bryant Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Bryan, Bryant, Brian, Breine, Brine, Bryand, Briand, Briant, Bryane and many more.

Early Notables of the Bryant family

More information is included under the topic Early Bryant Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bryant World Ranking

In the United States, the name Bryant is the 95^th most popular surname with an estimated 216,369 people with that name. 4 However, in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Bryant is ranked the 751^st most popular surname with an estimated 57 people with that name. 5 And in Australia, the name Bryant is the 274^th popular surname with an estimated 12,588 people with that name. 6 New Zealand ranks Bryant as 217^th with 2,629 people. 7 The United Kingdom ranks Bryant as 350^th with 17,920 people. 8

 Migration of the Bryant family to Ireland

Some of the Bryant family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

 Bryant migration to the United States+

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Bryant Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

• Stephen Bryant, who arrived in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1632 9
• Mr. John Bryant, who left England and arrived in Maryland in 1634 aboard the ship “Ark and Dove” 9
• Michaell Bryant, who arrived in Virginia in 1636 9
• John Bryant, who arrived in New England in 1640 9
• Jon Bryant, who arrived in Virginia in 1652 9