This unusual surname is of Anglo-Saxon origin, and is a dialectal variant of the Olde English pre 7th Century topographical term "Brom - tun". The surname translates as "the dweller at the farm amongst the Broom Bushes", and may also derive from one of the villages now spelt as Brampton or Brumpton, found from Cumberland to London. Topographical surnames were among the earliest created since both natural and man-made features in the landscape provided easily recognisable distinguishing names in the small communities of the Middle Ages, while locational surnames were developed when former inhabitants of a place moved to another area, usually to seek work, and were best identified by the name of their birthplace. The village name is recorded on several occasions in the 1086 Domesday Book as "Brantune" (Derbyshire), "Bruntune" (Herefordshire), and "Brantona" (Huntingdonshire). The surname development includes Alice Brummton, who was christened at St. Margaret's, Westminster, London, on May 2nd 1594, whilst on July 1st 1655, William Brumpton was a witness at the church of St. Martin in the Field, also in Westminster. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Penellope Brampton, which was dated November 12th 1588, christened at St. Margaret Moses Church, London, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth 1, known as "Good Queen Bess", 1558 - 1603. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

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