The name ‘Brownhill originates from England. It is a variant of the name ‘Brownhill’, derived from the habitation name from any of the various places, in the counties of Yorkshire, Cheshire, and Staffordshire, England, so called from the Old English word ‘brun’ meaning brown and ‘hyll’ meaning hill. Compiled information from Historical and Private archive’s has confirmed that the surname ‘Brownell’ and or it’s variant’s, dates as far back as the 16th century were a ‘Elizabeth Brownbell’, is recorded as being buried at Prestbury Church, County Cheshire, England, in 1561. The exact period of settlement in North America has not been definitely determined but Information extracted from Public and Civil registry archive’s confirm that one of the first settlers was a certain ‘Thomas Brownwell’, aged 20, from the county of Yorkshire, England. He immigrated to North America in 1639. He settled in Little Compton, Rhode Island, where he died in 1665. ‘Baker Brownel’ of Chicago se…
Coat of arms: Ermines on a chevron cottised sable …