Though shrouded by the mists of time, the chronicles of Scotland reveal the early records of the Norman surname Brownlee which ranks as one of the oldest. The history of the name is interwoven within the colourful plaid of Scottish history and is an intrinsic part of the heritage of Scotland.
Diligent analysis by professional researchers using such ancient manuscripts as the Domesday Book (compiled in 1086 by William the Conqueror), the Ragman Rolls, the Wace poem, the Honour Roll of the genealogies, and local parish and church records shows the first record of the name Brownlee was found in Belton in Lincolnshire where conjecturally they were descended from Gautier d’ Aincourt, who was of Royal blood, related to King William’s younger brother, a Norman Baron who was granted those lands by William the Conqueror for their assistance at the Battle of Hastings in 1066 A.D
Variable spellings of the name were typically linked to a common root, usually one of the Norman nobles at the Battle of Hastings. Your name, Brownlee occurred in many references from time to time and variables included were Brownlee, Brownlea, Brownlie, Brownlees, Brownley, Brownlow, Brownless, Brunlee, Brunlees, Brownleis, Brounley, Brunlie and many more. Scribes recorded and spelled the name as it sounded. It was not unlikely that a person would be born with one spelling, married with another and buried with a headstone which showed another. Preferences for different spellings were derived from a branch preference, to indicate a religious adherence or sometimes to show nationalistic allegiance.
The family name Brownlee is believed to be descended originally from the Norman race. The Normans were commonly believed to be of French origin but were, more accurately of Viking origin. The Vikings landed in the Orkneys and Northern Scotland about the year 870 A.D. , under the king Stirgud the Stout. Later under their Jarl, Thorfinn Rollo, they invaded France about 940 A.D. The French King, Charles the Simple, after Rollo laid siege to Paris, finally conceded defeat and granted northern France to Rollo. Rollo became the first Duke of Normandy. Duke William who invaded and defeated England in 1066, was descended from the first Duke Rollo of Normandy.
After the Conquest, Duke William took a census of most of England in 1086, it became known as the Domesday Book. By 1070, William’s nobles were growing restive, dissatisfied with their grants of land. William took an army north, and laid waste most of the northern counties. King Malcolm Canmore of Scotland offered refuge to these nobles, granting them land. Later King David, about 1160, also encouraged his Norman friends to come north to join the royal courts and obtain lands.
The surname Brownlee emerged as a notable Scottish family name in the county of Lincoln in Belton. The estates evolved to Sir William Brownlow of Humby, and the line continued to Lord Lurgan at Brownlow, and in Ireland they became the Viscounts Tirconnell. The senior member of the Brownlees migrated to New Zealand in 1886. Meanwhile it would seem that when the Brownlows moved to either Ireland or Scotland they changed their name from Brownlea to Brownlee. In Scotland they settled in Lanarkshire and Ayrshire. The Brownlees were tenants of land and estates belonging to Newbattle Abbey in 1560, and Isabel Brownlee also was a tenant of lands owned by Kelso Abbey in 1567. By the early part of the 17th century the name was flourishing in lowland Scotland, and many branches were developing. The present family seats are at Belton and Humby. Of note amongst the family at this time was Viscount Tirconnell.
The surname Brownlee contributed much to local politics and in the affairs of England and Scotland. Later, in the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries the country was ravaged by religious and political conflict. The Monarchy, the Church and Parliament fought for supremacy. The unrest caused many to think of distant lands.
Settlers in Ireland became known as the “Adventurers for land in Ireland”. Essentially, they “undertook” to keep the Protestant faith, and became known as “the Undertakers”. In Ireland, they settled on the estates of Lord Charlemont in Portadown in County Armagh, and also settled in County Antrim.
The news about the attractions of the New World spread like wildfire. Many sailed aboard the fleet of sailing ships know as the “White Sails”.
In North America, migrants which could be considered kinsmen of the surname Brownlee, or variable spellings of that same family name included Rich Brownley who settled in the Barbados in 1635; Luke Brownlie settled Virginia in 1639; Alice, Ann, George, James, Jane, John Brownlee settled in Charles Town S.C. in 1770; Robert, Thomas and William Brownlee landed in Philadelphia Pa. between 1813 and 1866.
From the port of arrival many settlers joined the wagon trains westward. During the American War of Independence some declared their loyalty to the Crown and moved northward into Canada and became known as the United Empire Loyalists.
Meanwhile the family name was noted in the social stream. There were many notables of this name, Brownlee, Professor George Brownlee, Pharmacology; Baron Lurgan Brownlow; Albert Brownlie; New Zealand economist.
In the process of researching this distinguished family name we also traced the most ancient grant of Arms from the branches which developed their own Arms.
The most ancient grant of Coat of Arms found was:
Blue with a bow and three arrows tied with a ribbon.
The Crest was:
A circle charged with a star.
From the library of Hall of Names
Genealogy 