Bain

Bain is a Scottish surname of Old French origin, derived from the personal name "Bain" or "Bayen," which was introduced into Scotland by the Normans. The name is derived from the Old French word "bain", meaning "bath" or "soaking," suggesting a possible occupation as a bath attendant or a nickname for someone who bathed frequently.

Distribution

The surname Bain is most commonly found in Scotland, particularly in the Highlands and the Northern Isles. It is also present in other English-speaking countries such as Canada, Australia, and the United States, mainly due to Scottish emigration.

Notable Bearers

  • John Bain (1984-2018): A popular YouTuber and video game critic known by his online alias "TotalBiscuit".
  • Alexander Bain (1810-1877): A Scottish inventor and engineer who patented the electric clock, the fax machine, and the first electrically powered form of communication.

Coat of Arms

The Bain family crest typically features a shield with a gold cross on a red background. The crest may also include elements such as thistles, which are symbolic of Scotland.

Variants

Variants of the Bain surname include Bayne, Bane, Baines, and MacBain.

The surname Bain bears a rich history and continues to be a prominent name in Scottish culture and heritage.

There are approximately 11,609 people named Bain in the UK. That makes it the 792nd most common surname in Britain. Around 178 in a million people in Britain are named Bain.

Surname type: From given name or forename

Origin: Celtic

Region of origin: British Isles

Country of origin: Scotland

Religion of origin: Christian

Language of origin: Gaelic

Typical given names associated with the surname

Male

  • Alan
  • Alexander
  • Andrew
  • Christopher
  • David
  • James
  • John
  • Michael
  • Robert
  • William

Female

  • Anne
  • Catherine
  • Elizabeth
  • Fiona
  • Helen
  • Jennifer
  • Karen
  • Margaret
  • Mary
  • Sarah
  • Susan

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