Bright

Bright is a surname of Old English origin, derived from the word "beorht," meaning "bright" or "shining." The name was often given to those who exhibited qualities of brightness, intelligence, or fame.

Notable People

Jacob Bright (1821–1899)

  • British Liberal politician and Member of Parliament for Manchester, known for supporting various social reforms and women's suffrage.

Ed Bright (born 1965)

  • British television presenter and radio host, known for his work on various entertainment and game shows.

Sarah Bright (born 1980)

  • British actress and singer, best known for her performances in West End musicals such as Cats and Phantom of the Opera.

Distribution

The surname Bright is prevalent in the United Kingdom, with significant concentrations in counties such as Yorkshire, Lancashire, and London. The name has also spread to countries with British colonial history, such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Variants

Variants of the surname Bright include Brightman, Bricht, Brecht, and Brite.

References

  1. Reaney, P. H., & Wilson, R. M. (1997). A Dictionary of English Surnames (3rd ed.). Oxford University Press.

  2. Hanks, P., & Hodges, F. (1988). A Dictionary of Surnames. Oxford University Press.

There are approximately 11,277 people named Bright in the UK. That makes it the 813th most common surname in Britain. Around 173 in a million people in Britain are named Bright.

Surname type: Nickname

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

  • Andrew
  • Christopher
  • David
  • James
  • John
  • Paul
  • Peter
  • Richard
  • Robert
  • Stephen

Female

  • Alison
  • Dawn
  • Elizabeth
  • Emma
  • Helen
  • Jennifer
  • Julie
  • Lisa
  • 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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