Brambles are the prickly bushes on which blackberries and other fruits grow.
Bramble is also a surname, thought to be derived either from the bush or from Bramhall 1 or from the place name ‘Bramhall’.
There are two ‘Bramhalls’ – one in Greater Manchester and one in the Sheffield area. I thought this would have some link to Bramhall Lane, home of Sheffield United, but they actually play at Bramall Lane Stadium which according to Wikipedia was ‘Built on a Sheffield road named after the Brammall family, who owned “The Old White House” on the corner of Bramall Lane and Cherry Street’ 2. Perhaps the Bramall family originated from Bramhall.
In any case, this would be one of two football connections – Titus Bramble plays in the Premiership for Wigan Athletic.
The only other famous ‘Bramble’ that I know of was actually spelt ‘Brambell’. His first name was Wilfred, and he was best known for playing the elder Steptoe, in the TV series ‘Steptoe and Son’.
