Brimson Family History

chiefly from Brinsham (Farm) in Netherbury (Dorset). The place was named from an enclosure (Old English hamm) belonging to a man bearing the Old English personal name Brȳni. perhaps sometimes alternatively from Brinson in Broadwoodwidger (Devon) recorded as a surname (Brinestune 13th cent. Breneston 1275) in Place-Names of Devon and originally denoting ‘Brȳni's farm or estate’ (Old English Brȳni + Old English tūn).

according to Reaney and Wilson from a place called Briençun in Normandy but this has not been identified. Dauzat and Rostaing refer to a hamlet named Briançon (Oise in Picardy) but as this is not in Normandy it cannot be the place that Reaney had in mind.

The medieval surname seems to be restricted to Essex but its later survival is unproven and post-medieval examples of Brinson etc. in the London area (including Kent) could alternatively be explained by migration of the family names in (1) or (2).