Brief Family History
Spelling variations include: Bruce, Brus (Gaelic), Bruys, Bruse and others.
First found in Yorkshire where they were seated from very early times and were granted lands by Duke William of Normandy, their liege Lord, for their distinguished assistance at the Battle of Hastings in 1066 A.D.
Some of the first settlers of this name or some of its variants were: Alexander Bruce who settled in Virginia in 1716; James Bruce settled in South Carolina in 1716; Richard Bruce settled in Virginia in 1650; James Bruce settled in New York City with his wife Janet and ten children in 1775.
Motto: Fuimus.
Motto Translated: We have been.
Crest: A blue lion.
Coat of Arms: Gold with a saltire and red chief, and a blue lion rampant on a silver canton.