This unusual name is in fact one of the many variant spellings of the Olde Breton name 'Brien or Brian' introduced by the Normans after the 1066 Invasion. The name is believed to translate from the Celtic 'Brigh' meaning 'strength' - which probably helped to account for its popularity with all the war-like nations of the Dark Ages. The spellings as Brine, Bren, Brin, Bryne and Brineene (the latter being a very rare female form) seem to originate in Kent and Sussex, the earliest recording being Thomas Bryne of Brighton (1592) with Brineene being found at Slaughan in 1630 and Brin at Brighton in 1700. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of William Brine. which was dated 1646, Christened at Brighton during the reign of King Charles I 'The Martyr' 1625-1649. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

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