Brahe (originally Bragde) is the name of two closely related Scanian noble families who were influential in both Danish and Swedish history. The noble families became extinct in Denmark in 1786 and in Sweden in 1930.

Danish family

The first member of the family using the name Brahe is speculated to have been Verner Braghde from Halland. Better documented is Peder Axelsen Brahe, who appears in late 14th century records. He had two sons, Thorkild and Axel Pedersen Brahe. The Danish branch descended from Axel, and the Swedish branch descended from Thorkild's daughter, Johanna Torkildsdotter Brahe.

Swedish family

Johanna Torkildsdotter from the Danish Brahe family, married Magnus Laurentsson in Sweden. Their son took his mother's family name Brahe, but not her family arms. Per Brahe was in 1561 granted the title of count by Eric XIV of Sweden, and in 1620 the family was introduced in the House of Nobility (Riddarhuset) as the first counts.

Other sources