Brown

This is a hereditary surname of Nickname origin.
Naming was borne thousands of years ago and initially there were just first names.
Around the 11th century the Normans invaded England, with William the Conqueror,
and introduced the first hereditary surnames taken from their estates in
France and their newly acquired lands in England.
These moved rapidly on with their bearers into Scotland and Ireland.
They also brought with them a store of personal and occupational names
with nicknames being formed from the Norman originals and a few from the
Old Norse terms, that survived into the Middle English.
Nicknames defined a physical feature, character,
a favoured style of clothing or from animals, birds, flowers or a colour.
Another type of Nickname refers to the bearers ethnic rather than geographical origin.
Continuing with our research of this surname our records show the following;
Variants Brown, Browne, Brewin, Brownson, Broun. A nickname meaning 'dark reddish complexion'.
This name is of Anglo-Norman descent spreading to the Celtic countries of Ireland,
Scotland and Wales in early times and is found in many mediaeval manuscripts
throughout the above islands. Examples of such are a Gamel Brun who was recorded in the ancient register 'Valor Ecclesiasticus' (England), and in Scotland William Brun witnessed a charter of
Donald, Earl of Mar, of lands of Dronlaw, in the year 1279.
A Stephen Brunson and Jane Boulton were married in Saint George,
Hanover Square, in the year 1776 and a Robert Broun, County Somerset,
was recorded in 'Kirby's quest', in the reign of Edward III.
The Browns of Ireland were one of the tribes of Galway and descended from a
Norman le brun at the time of the Anglo-Norman Invasion.
They were one of the four Norman septs who took over the territory of Tirawley from the Fiachrach.
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