Brewster

Brewster is a surname of English origin, deriving from the Old English word breowan, meaning "brew". The name likely originated as an occupational surname for a brewer of beer or ale.

The Brewster surname has been found predominantly in the regions of Yorkshire, Lancashire, and Essex in England. Notably, the most famous bearer of this surname was William Brewster (c.1566–1644), a Pilgrim from Scrooby, England, who travelled to the New World aboard the Mayflower in 1620. He played a prominent role in the settlement of Plymouth Colony in present-day Massachusetts and is considered one of the key figures in American colonial history.

Over the centuries, the Brewster surname has been borne by individuals across various professions and walks of life. It remains a relatively common surname in England and has also spread to other English-speaking countries through migration and settlement.

In contemporary times, the surname Brewster continues to be passed down through generations, retaining its historical significance and connections to brewing and early American history.

There are approximately 6,211 people named Brewster in the UK. That makes it roughly the 1,526th most common surname in Britain. Around 95 in a million people in Britain are named Brewster.

Surname type: Occupational name

Origin: English

Region of origin: British Isles

Country of origin: England

Religion of origin: Christian

Language of origin: English

Typical given names associated with the surname

Male

  • David
  • James
  • John
  • Mark
  • Michael
  • Paul
  • Peter
  • Richard
  • Robert
  • William

Female

  • Anne
  • Carol
  • Claire
  • Elizabeth
  • Emma
  • Jennifer
  • Karen
  • Margaret
  • Mary
  • Patricia
  • Sarah
  • Susan

Similar and related surnames

Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.

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