Brown

Overview

Brown is a common surname of English origin, derived from the Old English word "brun," which means brown. The surname Brown is listed in records as far back as the 11th century in England. It is now one of the most widespread surnames in English-speaking countries around the world.

Origin and Meaning

The surname Brown was given to individuals with brown hair, eyes, or complexion. The name was likely used as a nickname to describe physical features before becoming a hereditary surname.

Distribution

The surname Brown is ubiquitous, with a high concentration in English-speaking countries such as the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Variants of the name exist in other languages, such as Braun in German and Bruno in Italian.

Famous Individuals

  • Helen Gurley Brown (1922-2012): American author and editor-in-chief of Cosmopolitan magazine.
  • James Brown (1933-2006): American singer, songwriter, and dancer, known as the "Godfather of Soul."
  • Dan Brown (1964 - ): American author, best known for his popular novels such as "The Da Vinci Code."

Legacy

The surname Brown is often associated with reliability, steadfastness, and a down-to-earth nature. Many notable individuals with the surname have left a mark in various fields, including literature, music, and politics.

There are approximately 350,209 people named Brown in the UK. That makes it the 4th most common surname in Britain. Around 5,378 in a million people in Britain are named Brown.

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
  • Michael
  • Paul
  • Robert
  • Stephen
  • William

Female

  • Elizabeth
  • Emma
  • Helen
  • Karen
  • Margaret
  • Mary
  • Nicola
  • 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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