Find out how popular the last name BR is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named BR.

BR, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the BR surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of BR in America

BR is the 71372nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The BR surname appeared 255 times in the 2000 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname BR.

The history of the last name BR

The surname BR is a somewhat enigmatic name, not widely common but possessing a traceable history that stretches back several centuries. Originating in the British Isles, particularly England, during the medieval period, this surname has roots in the Old Norse and Old English languages. The exact etymology is subject to debate, but most experts agree that it could be derived from old words indicating geographical features like "brycg," which means bridge, or possibly "burh," indicating a fortified place or town.

The first recorded appearance of the surname BR can be traced back to the Domesday Book of 1086, a comprehensive record of landholdings in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. Although the name appears in varied spellings, one of the earliest forms was listed as "Bric" or "Brih." These early records primarily list landowners and knights, suggesting the name was held by individuals of some status.

One notable figure bearing the surname BR was Sir Edward BR, born in 1364 and passed away in 1432. He was a knight serving under King Henry V during the Hundred Years' War, participating in the Battle of Agincourt in 1415. His valor and contributions were mentioned in several medieval chronicles, securing his place in history.

In 1521, another key figure, John BR, a merchant in London, made his fortune through trade with the Hanseatic League. His name appears in the guild records of the era, marking him as a significant figure in the economic history of the city. The BR surname continued to appear in various forms in tax records, wills, and parish registers throughout the 16th and 17th centuries.

By the 18th century, Elizabeth BR (1710-1775) emerged as a prominent member of the BR family. She was known for her philanthropy and contributions to the establishment of several charity schools in her hometown. This period saw the surname becoming more standardized in its spelling and more widely recorded in legal documents.

In the 19th century, James BR (1801-1863), an engineer of noteworthy repute, was involved in the construction of several significant railway projects across England and Scotland. His innovative techniques and designs contributed to the rapid expansion of the railway network during the Industrial Revolution, leaving a lasting legacy in the field of engineering.

Throughout history, the surname BR has been associated with various regions in England and occasionally appears in Scotland and Wales. Its bearers often played significant roles in their communities, contributing to the social, economic, and political fabric of their times.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name BR

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname BR.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for BR was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

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

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

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