Brown Name Origin, Meaning and Family History

Brown Name Meaning: In England, Ireland and Scotland, derives from hair colour or complexion. Also a variation of the Old Norse 'Brunn' used prior to the Norman Conquest in 1066. In Germany and other european countries, name derives from first-name 'Bruno', used by many Dukes of Saxony. Also derived from Gaelic 'Donn' meaning 'Brown'

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Surname Distribution

Census frequency by county

Name Concentrations Within England and Wales

Brown Surname Statistics


Top Professions for the Brown family

Profession Census Frequency
School 20,692
Farm Labourer 1,693
General Labourer 1,613
Private Means 1,465
Coal Miner Hewer 1,450
Labourer 1,356
General Servant (domestic) 1,131
Farmer 1,057
Dressmaker 893
None 873
Domestic Servant 776
Clerk 692
Cotton Weaver 685
At Home 616
At School 571
Housekeeper 550
House Painter 545
Scholar 531
Bricklayer 515
General Servant Domestic 503
Shop Assistant 495
House Keeper 476
Charwoman 452
Laundress 439
Carpenter 399

Brown Surname Variants Ranking

Rank Surname Match Census Frequency
1 Brown 100% 1,208,004
2 Browne 83% 37,638
3 Brewin 67% 7,173
4 Brawn 80% 4,808
5 Browen 83% 516
6 Brwon 60% 512
7 Broune 67% 376
8 Borwn 60% 319
9 Brewen 67% 314
10 Browin 83% 204
11 Burwin 50% 191
12 Barwin 50% 112
13 Brownie 71% 100

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The surname Brown is the most popular version of all its varients

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