Surname Brazeel - Meaning and Origin
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Brazeel: What does the surname Brazeel mean?
The surname Brazeel has several possible origins. One possibility is that it is an Anglo-Saxon name derived from the Old English word ‘brac,’ meaning ‘bower,’ or ‘house.’ This is supported by the fact that some early bearers of the name were recorded as ‘Bracys,’ suggesting that the original form of the name was based on a place name. Another possible origin for the surname is that it is derived from an Old French personal name, either ‘Breo’ or ‘Briz,’ which both mean ‘bold,’ ‘strong’ or ‘valiant.’ This could be supported by the fact that the some early bearers of the name were recorded as ‘Brai’ in records dating from the 12th and 13th centuries.
Finally, there is the possibility that Brazeel is a variant of the Old German name ‘Braatz,’ originally taken to England by Saxon settlers in the 5th and 6th centuries. This is supported by the fact that early forms of the name in England, such as ‘Braas’ or ‘Braz’ are similar to the German ‘Braatz.’
In conclusion, the name Brazeel could have a range of different possible origins, all of which are possible. It is impossible to say with any certainty which of these interpretations is correct, but all of them have a basis in historical evidence.
Order DNA origin analysisBrazeel: Where does the name Brazeel come from?
The last name Brazeel is commonly found in the United States today, primarily in the southeastern states. The name originated in the 1600s in what is today French Canada, likely a derivative of the Canadian-French word brasaille, which means to bludgeon. From there, the name spread to the United States as families migrated from Canada. Variations of the name, such as Brazeal, Brazyell, and Brazzel, are also found in Northern Ireland, South Africa and Germany.
In the United States, most records of the family are found in Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana and Tennessee. There is also a clustered area in southwestern Kentucky, primarily in Carlisle and Ballard Counties. As of 2000, the most common concentration of the name Brazeel was in Lawrence County, Arkansas.
In the last few decades, the family has spread throughout the south with high concentrations being noted in many more counties and, notably, in Orange and Los Angeles Counties, California. The ancestral link to Canada is still strong, however, with records of the family name gaining popularity in Ontario since the 1800s.
Variations of the surname Brazeel
The surname Brazeel is an uncommon name with several variant spellings, derivatives, and diverging lines. The main variants of the Brazeel surname are Brazee, Brees, and Brazel.
Brazee is derived from the French word “Braze” which refers to an individual who lived near a field of bracken ferns, known as brambles in Britain. In North America, the Brazee surname began to show up in the late 1600s and is found especially in New England.
Brees is a Dutch spelling of the surname Brazee, but in Dutch the meaning of Bree remains a mystery. Some experts suggest Bree may refer to an individual from a place by the name of Bree, but there is no place in the Netherlands known by that name. The Dutch spelling of Brees is found in America today, primarily in the state of Michigan.
Brazel is an alternate spelling of Brazee and Brees, and likely comes from the same origin. The name found some prominence in the United States during the late 17th and early 18th centuries, especially in Connecticut.
All three spellings most likely originate from the same source. It is quite possible that settlers of different nationalities may have spelled the name differently, or perhaps the same source was adapted to various spellings in different parts of the world. Furthermore, it is quite possible that the same spelling may have mutated into different spellings overtime.
Other surnames of a similar origin to Brazeel include Brazelton, Broncelli and Bracelius.
Famous people with the name Brazeel
- Antonio Brown: Professional American Football wide receiver for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Bob Brazell: Former Major League Baseball pitcher
- Kenneth Brazzle: Professional basketball player
- Chris Brazzle: Professional American football cornerback
- Jeff Brazeal: Three-time Olympic swimmer
- Shane Brazeal: American football wide receiver in the Arena Football League
- Paul Brazeal: Canadian former ice hockey defenceman
- Billy Brazeal: American football defensive back and punt returner for the Detroit Fury
- Terry Brazeal: Former Major League Baseball pitcher
- Bob Brazeal: Former Major League Baseball pitcher and coach