Find out how popular the first name Brees has been for the last 14 years (from 2010 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Brees by gender

Based on the last 14 years of data, Brees is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 84% of people named Brees being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 13 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Brees.

The history of the first name Brees

The name Brees is believed to have originated from the Old French word "brese," which means "a gap or break." The name likely emerged in the Middle Ages, around the 12th or 13th century, in the regions of northern France.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Brees can be found in the 14th century French text "Le Roman de la Rose," where it is mentioned as a surname. However, there is little evidence of its widespread use as a given name during this period.

The name Brees gained some prominence in the 16th century, particularly in the Netherlands. One notable figure was Adriaen Brees, a Dutch painter and engraver born in 1554 in Oudenaarde, Flanders (now part of Belgium). He was known for his landscapes and architectural scenes.

In the 17th century, a few historical records mention individuals named Brees. For example, Jan Brees, a Dutch Golden Age painter born in 1617 in Antwerp, was known for his still-life paintings and genre scenes.

The 18th century saw a few more examples of the name Brees. Jean-Baptiste Brees, a French painter born in 1782 in Douai, was a student of Jacques-Louis David and gained recognition for his historical and mythological paintings.

As the name spread across Europe, it also found its way to the British Isles. In the 19th century, Sir Samuel Brees, an English architect and surveyor born in 1809 in West Bromwich, became known for his work on the restoration of various churches and public buildings.

Overall, while not a highly common name throughout history, Brees has been present across various European regions, particularly in France, the Netherlands, and England. Its origins can be traced back to Old French, and it has been associated with a handful of notable individuals, primarily in the fields of art and architecture.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Brees was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Brees, please contact us.

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