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![Show Contents]() Brier History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
Early Origins of the Brier familyThe surname Brier was first found in Dumfriesshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Dhùn Phris), a Southern area, bordering on England that today forms part of the Dumfries and Galloway Council Area. "Of all the families springing from Dumfries the MacBrairs have the longest and most honourable connection, having been virtually hereditary provosts of the burgh for nigh 150 years." 1 "The name of M'Brair," says Sir Herbert Maxwell, "contains in itself a reproach to a celibate order -Mac brathair (braher) the friar's son." 1 Another source claims the name was from the Lowland Scottish word brae, meaning 'hill'. Other early record show: John de Byres, a monk in Neubotle, Midlothian, in 1309; and Thome de Byris owned a tenement in Edinburgh in 1392. Early History of the Brier familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Brier research. Another 330 words (24 lines of text) covering the years 1384, 1444, 1469, 1473, 1481, 1491, 1494, 1499, 1500, 1502, 1503, 1504, 1506, 1510, 1533, 1534, 1548, 1557, 1573, 1579, 1590, 1593, 1630, 1639, 1653, 1667 and 1684 are included under the topic Early Brier History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Brier Spelling VariationsSpelling variations of this family name include: MacBriar, McBriar, MacBrair, McBrair, MacBraire, McBraire, MacBriare, McBriare, Briar, Brier, Brire, Briars, Briers, Brires, Braires, Brares, Braire, Brair, MacBrare, McBrare, Brare, MacBrar, McBrar, Brar, MacBrayr, McBrayr, MacBrayre, McBrayre, McBryar, MacBryar, MacBray, McBray, MacBrire, McBrire, MacBrier and many more. Early Notables of the Brier familyMore information is included under the topic Early Brier Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Brier RankingIn the United States, the name Brier is the 13,341st most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 2
| Brier migration to the United States | + |
Some of the first settlers of this family name were: Brier Settlers in United States in the 19th Century- J. Brier, aged 25, settled in New Orleans in 1823
- Christian Brier, who settled in Philadelphia in 1858
- Annie Brier, aged 25, who landed in America, in 1893
- Beatrice M. Brier, aged 1, who immigrated to the United States, in 1895
- Mary Brier, aged 36, who immigrated to the United States, in 1895
Brier Settlers in United States in the 20th Century- Charles Brier, aged 57, who landed in America, in 1905
- Sarah Ann Brier, aged 45, who landed in America from Halifax, England, in 1907
- Abraham Brier, aged 22, who immigrated to America from London, England, in 1908
- Ernest Brier, aged 28, who landed in America from Yorkshire, England, in 1908
- Herbert Brier, aged 19, who immigrated to the United States from Reddish, England, in 1912
- ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
| Brier migration to Canada | + |
Some of the first settlers of this family name were: Brier Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century- Michael Brier, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1749-1752
| Contemporary Notables of the name Brier (post 1700) | + |
- Kathy Brier (b. 1975), American Daytime Emmy Award nominated actress and singer
- Robert "Bob" Brier (b. 1943), American Egyptologist, known as Mr. Mummy
- Markus Brier (b. 1968), Austrian golfer, as of 2008 is his country's highest ranked player
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: In defiance
- Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
- "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
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