BROW
Brow
Definition Brow is a surname of English origin, derived from the Middle English word "brō" or "brāw," meaning hill or slope. It is a toponymic surname, indicating that the original bearer lived near a hill or a slope. The surname Brow is widely distributed throughout England and has a long history dating back centuries.
History The surname Brow has ancient roots in England and can be traced back to the early medieval period. It is believed that families bearing the surname Brow were primarily found in regions with hilly terrains, such as the West Country, the Pennines, and other parts of the British Isles.
Over time, the surname Brow became established in various counties across England, and branches of the family spread to different parts of the country. Like many English surnames, Brow may have undergone variations in spelling and pronunciation over the centuries, resulting in different forms such as Browe, Brou, and Broughe.
Notable Individuals
- John Brow (1773–1804): An English merchant who played a significant role in the development of trade relations between England and the Far East.
- Elizabeth Brow (1827–1910): A prominent suffragette and women's rights advocate who campaigned for the rights of women in the Victorian era.
- William Brow (1894–1962): A renowned British artist known for his realistic landscape paintings depicting rural life in England.
Variants Variants of the surname Brow include Browe, Brou, and Broughe. These variations may have emerged due to regional accents, dialects, or clerical errors in historical records. Despite the different forms, these variants are considered linked to the original surname Brow.
Modern-Day Distribution In contemporary times, the surname Brow can still be found in various regions of England and beyond, as descendants of the original bearers have dispersed worldwide. The name continues to be passed down through generations, maintaining a connection to the ancestral roots of families bearing the Brow surname.
There are approximately 156 people named Brow in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around two in a million people in Britain are named Brow.
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- Andrew
- Christopher
- David
- James
- John
- Keven
- Matthew
- Michael
- Paul
- Richard
- Robert
- Simon
Female
- Amanda
- Amy
- Doreen
- Elizabeth
- Karen
- Katy
- Margaret
- Nicola
- Sarah
- Susan
Similar and related surnames
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.