Daily AncestorBrother
Brother in old records could mean a brother-in-law or a fellow church member, not only a son of the same parents.
In most records brother means a male sibling, including half-brothers. But medieval English used brother for a brother-in-law as well, and that looser usage can surface in later letters and wills.
Churches called male members brother, so Brother Jones in church minutes or a letter may be no relation. Check whether the surname and family fit before assuming a sibling.
As seen in a recordBaptist church minutes, 1800s
Brother Isaac Lowe was received into fellowship by letter from the church at Salem.
How to cite this page
Daily Ancestor. "Brother." Dictionary of Old Record Words. https://dailyancestor.com/dictionary/relationships/brother. Last checked 2026-10-01.