Origins of the Name

The more usual form of the surname Broun is Brown.^[1] It is an extremely common name and is usually a reference to colouring.^[1] The historian, Black, asserts that Browns of Celtic origin might have been named after their descent from native judges, who were known as brehons.^[1]

The Scottish Lowland name of Brown achieved prominence in the early twelfth century in East Lothian.^[1] Sir David Le Brun was a witness to the laying of the foundation of Holyrood Abbey in 1128.^[1] He had given lands to the abbey in return for prayers said for the health of his son.^[1]

The chiefly family, the Brouns of Colstoun enjoyed considerable royal favour, which may have been because of their claimed descent from the royal house of France.^[1] The chief's arms even bear the three gold lilies of France.^[1] The family married into other noble families such as that of the chiefs of Clan Hay.^[1]

During the Civil War, Sir John Brown of Fordell commanded the royalist army at the Battle of Inverkeithing in 1651.^[2] Patrick Broun of Colstoun was created a Baronet of Nova Scotia in 1686.^[1]