Show ContentsBranthwaite History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Branthwaite

What does the name Branthwaite mean?

The origins of the Branthwaite name lie with England's ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. It comes from when the family lived at Brunthwaite, in Yorkshire, where they held a family seat in the parish of Kildwick, near Skipton. Originally the name may have been Brunthwaite or Bownthwaite.

Early Origins of the Branthwaite family

The surname Branthwaite was first found in Yorkshire where they held a family seat at Brunthwaite in the parish of Kildwick, near Skipton in Yorkshire. 1 The name may originally have been Brunthwaite or Bownthwaite.

The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 illustrates some of the early spellings of the family: Robert Brownthwayt; Thomas de Braintwayt; and

Johannes Bramtwayt. All held land there at that time. 1

Early History of the Branthwaite family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Branthwaite research. Another 136 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1332, 1523, 1594, 1615, 1620 and 1770 are included under the topic Early Branthwaite History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Branthwaite Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Branthwaite were recorded, including Branthwaite, Branthwayte, Brandthwaite, Branthwhite, Brownthwaite, Braunthwaite, Brinthwaite, Branthwate, Branwhite, Branwite and many more.

Early Notables of the Branthwaite family

Distinguished members of the family include

  • William Branthwaite, (d. 1620), English scholar and translator, who served in the "Second Cambridge Company" charged by James I of England with translating the Apocrypha for the King James Version of...


Branthwaite migration to Australia +

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

Branthwaite Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • J.G.A. Branthwaite, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Anna Maria" in 1849 2

Contemporary Notables of the name Branthwaite (post 1700) +

  • William Branthwaite (d. 1620), English scholar and translato
  • Anna Branthwaite, British photojournalist


  1. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  2. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) The ANNA MARIA 1849. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1849AnnaMaria.htm


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