Briar

This is a name which is probably not quite what as it seems. It is topographical for one who lived in 'the braers' (Olde English pre 7th Century) but the name is not coincidental or accidental. 'Braers' were planted as defensive belts around properties to wsrd off unwelcome 'guests' and to provide a useful food source, so the name probably refers to one who lived at a substantial dwelling. It is also a strong possibility that as approximately twenty per cent of all surnames have a 'nickname' base, that the origin of some modern nameholders will refer to a 'Braer' a local 'prickly' character. The name development includes Andre Brieux of 1697 (French Huguenot) another possible source of the name, whilst earlier on September 29th 1579, William Briers was a witness at the church of St. Mary Somerset, London. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of John inle Breres, which was dated 1279, the Hundred Rolls of Huntingdonshire, during the reign of King Edward I, The Hammer of the Scots, 1272 - 1307. 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.