Branch History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

• Origins Available:
•  England

The name Branch was brought to England by the Normans when they conquered the country in 1066. The ancestors of the Branch family lived in the county of Westmorland (now part of Cumbria), where the family can trace its origin to shortly after the Norman Conquest. The surname Branch comes from the Old English word branche, which means branch. While it is unclear as to how this word came to be used as a surname, it may have been a topographical surname type, which could be given to a person who lived beside any physical feature, such as a hill, stream, church or type of tree.

Early Origins of the Branch family

The surname Branch was first found in Westmorland where they held a family seat from very early times and were granted lands by Duke William of Normandy, their liege Lord, for their distinguished assistance at the Battle of Hastings in 1066 A.D. The family were from St. Denis de Branche, and the name Braunch appears on the Honour Roll of Battell Abbey of those companions of Duke William Normandy at Hastings.

Early History of the Branch family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Branch research. Another 103 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1169, 1238, 1331, and 1500 are included under the topic Early Branch History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Branch Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, Anglo-Norman surnames like Branch are characterized by many spelling variations. Scribes and monks in the Middle Ages spelled names they sounded, so it is common to find several variations that refer to a single person. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages such as Norman French and Latin, even literate people regularly changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Branch include Branch, Branche, Braunche, Braunch and others.

Early Notables of the Branch family (pre 1700)

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

Branch Ranking

In the United States, the name Branch is the 718^th most popular surname with an estimated 39,792 people with that name. [1]

 Branch migration to the United States +

Faced with the chaos present in England at that time, many English families looked towards the open frontiers of the New World with its opportunities to escape oppression and starvation. People migrated to North America, as well as Australia and Ireland in droves, paying exorbitant rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, but those who did see the shores of North America were welcomed with great opportunity. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America carried the name Branch, or a variant listed above: 

Branch Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

• Christopher Branch (c. 1602-1681), English settler to America from Kent, who sailed aboard the London Merchant arriving at the Kingsland Plantation in 1620
• Peter Branch, who settled in New England in 1630
• John Branch, who settled in Virginia in 1639
• Anthony Branch, who settled in Virginia in 1643
• Antho Branch, who arrived in Virginia in 1643 [2]
• … (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Branch Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

• Joan Branch, who arrived in Virginia in 1706 [2]

Branch Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

• Johan Georg Branch, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1803 [2]
• Mr. Edward Branch, (b. 1825), aged 26, Cornish settler departing from Penzance aboard the ship “Marquis of Chandos” arriving in the United States on 7 June 1851 [3]
• Mr. Thomas Branch, (b. 1836), aged 15, Cornish settler departing from Penzance aboard the ship “Marquis of Chandos” arriving in the United States on 7 June 1851 [3]
• F Branch, who arrived in San Francisco California in 1851 [2]
• Franz J Branch, who landed in St Clair County, Illinois in 1872 [2]
• … (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Branch Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

• Mr. John Branch, (b. 1872), aged 31, Cornish labourer travelling aboard the ship “St Louis” arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 7th November 1903 en route to Manistique, Michigan, USA [4]
• Mr. William Branch, (b. 1871), aged 34, Cornish farm labourer , from Launceston, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship “Philadelphia” arriving at Ellis Island, New York in 1905 en route to San Diego, California, USa [4]
• Mr. Ernest Branch, (b. 1902), aged 3, Cornish settler, from Launceston, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship “Philadelphia” arriving at Ellis Island, New York in 1905 en route to San Diego, California, USA [4]
• Miss Ethel Branch, (b. 1903), aged 2, Cornish settler, from Launceston, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship “Philadelphia” arriving at Ellis Island, New York in 1905 en route to San Diego, California, USA [4]
• Mrs. Jane Branch, (b. 1872), aged 33, Cornish settler, from Launceston, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship “Philadelphia” arriving at Ellis Island, New York in 1905 en route to San Diego, California, USA [4]
• … (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)