Bretch History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Etymology of Bretch

What does the name Bretch mean?

The present generation of the Bretch family is only the most recent to bear a name that dates back to the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. Their name comes from having lived near a newly cultivated piece of land. The surname Bretch is derived from the Old English word bræc. 1

Early Origins of the Bretch family

The surname Bretch was first found in Shropshire where Peter de la Breche was listed in the Assize Rolls of 1221. A few years later, Peter de la Brach was listed in Surrey in 1248 and Philip atte Breche was found in the Subsidy Rolls for Sussex in 1296. Later again, Rose atte Brache was listed in the Subsidy Rolls for Bedfordshire in 1309. Robert le Brechere was listed at Oseney, Oxfordshire in 1245, while William le Brechere was found in Cornwall in 1297. 1

Early History of the Bretch family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bretch research. Another 77 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Bretch History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bretch Spelling Variations

Until the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Bretch include Breach, Brech, Britch, Breashears, Breashear and many more.

Early Notables of the Bretch family

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

Migration of the Bretch family

Thousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in England at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Bretch were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records: William Breach junior who settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1844; A. Breach arrived in San Francisco Cal. in 1852; Adam Brech arrived in Philadelphia in 1743.

Sources +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)