Bramhall

Recorded in a number of spellings including Brammar, Brammer, Brammall, Bramall, Bramhall, Bramah, Bramble, Bremer, Bremmer and Brummell, this is an English surname. It is locational from either one of the places in Cheshire and Yorkshire called "Bramall". Originating from the Olde English pre 7th century words "brom healh", both places share the same meaning. This is literally the "broom-covered hollow", but a more pragmatic meaning is a sheltered or hidden area surrounded by gorse. Gorse was often grown as a defensive protective ring against attack by marauding outlaws and cattle thieves. Both villages are recorded in the famous Domesday Book of 1066 which in itself indicates that a thousand years ago, the places had some importance. The name spellings ending in the suffix 'er' indicate 'one from Bramall'. Early examples of the surname recording include Jane Bremer, who married John Cooke at St Margarets church, Westminster, on January 24th 1585, Hugh Bramall of Nether Peover, Cheshire whose will was registered in Chester in 1628, and Mary Brammar who married Noel Canfield at the church of St Bartholomew, The Great, city of London, on April 13th 1722.. The first recorded spelling of the family name is believed to be that of Robert de Bramhal. This recording was dated 1221, in the Assize Rolls of the county of Worcestershire.