Show ContentsBrugg History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Brugg family

The surname Brugg was first found in Buckinghamshire where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor. After the Battle of Hastings in 1066, William, Duke of Normandy, having prevailed over King Harold, granted most of Britain to his many victorious Barons. It was not uncommon to find a Baron, or a Bishop, with 60 or more Lordships scattered throughout the country. These he gave to his sons, nephews and other junior lines of his family and they became known as under-tenants. They adopted the Norman system of surnames which identified the under-tenant with his holdings so as to distinguish him from the senior stem of the family. After many rebellious wars between his Barons, Duke William, commissioned a census of all England to determine in 1086, settling once and for all, who held which land. He called the census the Domesday Book, 1 indicating that those holders registered would hold the land until the end of time. Hence, conjecturally, the surname is descended from the tenant of the lands of Gloucestershire at Sudley Castle who was recorded in the Domesday Book census of 1086.

Early History of the Brugg family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Brugg research. Another 107 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1375, 1427, 1450, 1472 and 1492 are included under the topic Early Brugg History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Brugg Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Bruges, Brugg and others.

Early Notables of the Brugg family

More information is included under the topic Early Brugg Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Brugg family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: William Bruges, who arrived in New York in 1807.



  1. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)


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