Breinigsville was named for George Ludwig Breinig (January 31, 1733 – May 12, 1812), a German immigrant who came to America on board the ship "Lydia", arriving in Philadelphia on October 13, 1749. He originally settled in Weisenberg Township (tax records show he was assessed 9 pounds in 1762). On May 10, 1771, Breinig purchased around of land and a stone dwelling for 700 pounds from Peter and Catherine Trexler (of Trexlertown) along "the great road leading to Philadelphia". He resided on that land until his death.