Brampton

This interesting name is of Anglo-Saxon origin, and is locational from the various places so called in every part of England, for example in Cumbria, recorded as "Braunton" in the Close Rolls of 1252; in Derbyshire, recorded as "Brantune" in the Domesday Book of 1086; and in Suffolk, recorded as "Brantuna", also in the Domesday Book. These places and the many others besides all share the same derivation, which is from the Olde English pre 7th Century "brom, broom or gorse, and "tun", a town or settlement; hence, "a town where broom grew". Locational surnames, such as this, were usually acquired by a local landowners, or by the lord of the manor, and especially by those former inhabitants of a place who had moved to another area, usually in search of work, and were thereafter best identified by the name of their birthplace. Recordings from Derbyshire Church Registers include: the christening of William Brampton on March 30th 1695, at Wilne, and the marriage of Rachel Brampton and William Statham on June 16th 1684, at Sawley. The Coat of Arms most associated with the name is a silver saltire between four silver crosses crosslet fitchee on a red shield, the Crest being on a silver tiger a naked man astride proper wreathed about the temples of the first and red. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of John Brampton, which was dated November 27th 1559, marriage to Ales Garnishe, at Kenlon, Suffolk, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth 1, known as "Good Queen Bess", 1558 - 1603. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.