Surname Braissie - Meaning and Origin
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Braissie: What does the surname Braissie mean?
The last name Braissie is of French origin and is thought to have been a medieval nickname for a person who had a “bright appearance.” The surname is derived from the Old French word bracier meaning “shining” and has been linked to the Latin word brachiatus meaning “having wings.” It could also have been a nickname for someone with an aptitude for learning, deriving from the word bras meaning “arm” and implying “faculty.”
Over time, Braissie began to be used as a last name by descendants of the family. The name then spread across Europe, eventually arriving in North America in the late 18th century. Today, the surname is still used by descendants all over the world.
The Braissie surname is still relatively uncommon, but remains a reminder of the long lineages and shimmering histories which the name carries with it. It holds a unique and special place as a reminder of the hard work and determination of its ancestors, and the legacy that they left behind.
Order DNA origin analysisBraissie: Where does the name Braissie come from?
The surname Braissie is most commonly found in western Europe, particularly France and Belgium. It has been traced back to Charolais-Brionnais in France, located in the former province of Burgundy. This area was historically populated by the Celts, who may have played a role in the origin of the surname.
Records indicate that some branches of the family spread to other parts of Europe in the Middle Ages. For instance, some members of the family moved to the Netherlands, which is where the name is still found in various spelling variations today.
The Braissies also expanded into Britain, particularly to the English Midlands, over the centuries. There were Braissies in Staffordshire and Leicestershire even before the 1600s, when some individuals bearing the name emigrated from France and Belgium. The name also appears in Scotland, where it is still quite common.
Braissie is also found in America, particularly in Louisiana. This is likely due to the waves of French emigrants who came to the Louisiana Territory in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
Today, then, Braissie is still relatively widespread, particularly in France, Belgium, and the British and American descendants of French migrants. Based on research, it is believed that the Braissie family is an ancient one, tracing its roots back to the Celts in ancient Gaul.
Variations of the surname Braissie
The surname Braissie has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The most common ones are Brainnie, Brainsie, Brainssy, Breassy, Bressie, Bressy, Brissie, Brissy, Braissye, Braissy, Braycey, and Braycie. Brainnie and Breassy are derived from Irish Gaelic and the surname is believed to be of either Norman or Saxon origin. Brainssy is derived from the Welsh words brân and cies, which mean “crow” and “shire” or “county”, respectively. Bressie is most likely derived from the French “bras”, which means “arm”. Brissie, Brissy, and Braissye are derived from the Hebrew word barash, which means "to consume". Braycey and Braycie are derived from the Italian braccio, which also means "arm".
Braissie is a common surname in Scotland, especially in the Scottish Lowlands. It is also found in many other countries, including Ireland, the United States, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, and India. It is currently among the top five hundred most common surnames in Scotland.
The surname Braissie has also been anglicized in many ways and is often seen as the spelling Brassie, Brazie, Bressey, Brasse, and Brazee. As the surname was popular in many countries, there are likely additional spellings and variations that have not been documented.
Famous people with the name Braissie
- Andrew Braissie: American alpine skier who competed in the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.
- Belisa Braissie: American law professor and celebrated civil rights lawyer.
- Edward Braissie: Nigerian Independence Activist and writer.
- Jean Pierre Braissie: French actor and director.
- Michael Braissie: Canadian novelist and author of short stories.
- Panche Braissie: Spanish songwriter, arranger, and producer.
- Sir Alexander Braissie: member of Parliament in the United Kingdom and the first black Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons.
- Todd Braissie: American film producer, cinematographer, and director.
- Corey Braissie: Professional Basketball Player for the Limoges CSP
- Mark Braissie: American soccer player who played in the Major Soccer League.