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How is it spelled?
There are several spellings of the name. The surname "Bruppbacher" first appears in Fluntern, near Zurich, Switzerland in 1580. The name is believed to have originated on the right hand shore of the Zurich Sea, near the village of the Zurich Mountains Zollikon. There, a wild mountain brook flowed from the mountains to the nearby sea. A bridge was constructed over the brook, and it was named "Brugg-Bach" meaning "Bridge-Brook." Near the brook stood a mansion, whose proprietor chose the surname "Bruggbacher" to distinguish himself better from other prominent families of the area. In time, his family adopted the surname as their own. The townspeople of a nearby village, desiring to create a more smooth, flowing dialect convinced those in the surrounding countryside, including the household of Bruggbacher to alter the spelling and pronunciation of their names. Hence, "Bruggbacher" was changed to "Bruppbacher", the awkward double "g" changed to a more pronounceable "b" sound.
The name was again changed upon the arrival of Bruppbachers to England and North America until it became "Brubaker". The spellings Bruppbacher, Brubpacher and Brubacher remain common in Eastern Switzerland. In America, the spelling of the name varies also. A handful of early patents bear the name of "Pupather". Later records show spellings such as "Prowbaker", "Prubecker", "Bruebaker", "Brewbaker", and "Brubacher". These names are all believed to be variations of the surname Brubaker.
Today, the most common spellings of the name are Brubaker, Brubacher and Brewbaker. These three are consistently used today. Brewbaker originated in Franklin county, Pennsylvania. Brubacher is widely used by members of the family in Lebanon county, PA. as well as Juaniata county and some parts of western states and Canada.
What does it mean?
Translated, the name means "The people who live by the bridge over the mountain stream." This is consistent with the previously mentioned history of the name's origin.
The Peaquea Colony
Following the Protestant Reformation, Switzerland became a land divided by aristocracy and democracy, Catholicism and Protestant beliefs. The upper class of citizens were awarded public office and treated favorably while the lower classes held little power in the supposed democracy. Religious persecution was common, and many fled the country for America in order to escape these burdens.
In 1709, a group of several families who were the descendants of the dispersed Swiss Mennonite immigrated from the Palatinate region in Germany and settled in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. They arrived in 1710 and settled in the area that is now known as East Lancaster and Lompiter townships. This group became known as the Pequea Colony.
Brubakers In America
In the late summer of 1717, immigrants by the name of Hans Brubaker and Christian Hershey, late of the Palatinate on the Rhine arrived in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Together, they purchased a 1,000 acre tract of land from William Penn's agents. Hans' brother John arrived at the same time and purchased an additional 200 acres of land that adjoined the Brubaker/Hershey tract. His other brother Jacob also arrived in America at the same time. The 1,000 acre Brubaker/Hershey tract was divided by them "by mutual consent" in 1718. This division was legalized with the Christian Hershey heirs between 1729 and 1733. Hans erected farm buildings, a grist mill and the first Mennonite meetinghouse in Lancaster County on his property. Hans and his heirs purchased additional lands in Hempfeild Township, Elizabeth Township, Rapho Township and in Page County, Virgina. Hans died in 1748.
The A to V lines
In his book, The History and Genealogy of the Brubaker Family, author Phares Brubaker Gibble differentiates the descendants of the Brubaker families in America geneologically using alphabet letter. Thus, Hans Brubaker is designated A-1, Jacob Brubaker as B-1 and John Brubaker as C-1. The A, B and C designations are somewhat arbitrary since all three brothers arrived in Lancaster County at the same time. Hans may have been awarded the A designation because he was the most prosperous of the three.
Abraham Brubaker, designated D-1, is reported to have been a cousin of Hans Brubaker's son John. John made a trip to Germany to find a wife and brought his cousin back with him. This took place in 1730.
Michael Brubaker, (F-1), is reported to have come to the New Holland area in 1727. By trade he was a wagon maker.
John N. Brubaker, (G-1), lived near Holdwood in Martic Township.
Peter Brubacher, (H-1), purchased a large tract of land in the extreme northwest of Anterim Township. His land bordered on the Conocochcheaque Creek.
Henry Brubaker, (J-1), was a resident of Montgomery Township, in Franklin County, PA.
Jacob Brubaker, (K-1), settled in Allegheney Township, in Blair County, PA. He is thought to possibly be a descendant of Peter (H-1).
Isaac Brubaker, (L-1), lived in Letterkenny Township, in Franklin County, PA.
Christian Brewbaker, (M-1), was also a resident of Anterim Township, Franklin County, PA.
John Brubaker, (N-1), was a resident of Somerset County, PA.
Jacob Brubaker, (0-1), lived in Mercer County, PA.
John Brubaker (V-1) settled in Roanoake County, Virgina.
Sources
History and Genealogy of the Brubaker, Brubacher and Brewbaker Family in America by Phares Brubaker Gibble.