the Gentle House of Stapleton
Database Update - November 25, 2025
Breazeal
The surname Breazeal has its origins in the British Isles, possibly Englan or Ireland. In Gaelic it appeared as Ó Breasail (descendant of Breasal), possibly from the word bres, which means strife. This gives rise to two different beginnings of the Breazeal name:
The Irish origin begins in County Armagh (Irish: Ard Mhacha) located in the province of Ulster in present day Northern Ireland, where they held a family seat from ancient times. They were descended from Fiachrach Casan, the progenitor of the Clann Brassil, he was the son of King Colla da Crioch, one of Ireland's greatest kings.
The English origin begins in the 14th century, derived from a locational name referring to a place called "Breazehall" or a similar variation. This place name is thought to be a combination of the Old English words "bræs" meaning "brass" and "heal" meaning "hall" or "dwelling." One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from 1327, where a John de Bressehale is mentioned. This suggests that the name was already established in the Midlands region of England by that time.
You may choose which you like, until we have definite data to point in one direction we will keep both options open
A massive amount of Ireland's native population left the island in the 19th century for North America and Australia in hopes of finding more opportunities and an escape from discrimination and oppression.
Early North American immigration and passenger lists have revealed a number of people bearing the name Breazeal or a variant listed above:
Daniel Brassell who arrived in New York State in 1756; Patrick Brazell arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1838; Thomas Breslin settled in Virginia in 1765.
We have a digital file of The Family Bible of Hosea Bright Breazeal and Sarah Elizabeth Mayfield of Spearsville, LA. It provides much of the history back to South Carolina.