Brame
An English occupational surname for a maker or seller of bridles, saddles, and other horse equipment.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 3,393 Americans carry the last name Brame. That puts it at #10,935 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.99 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 101,018 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Brame surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
3.4K
1 in 101,018
Census rank
#10,935
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
1.0
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
2.9K
rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 2,911 bearers of the surname Brame in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.99 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 10935th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Brame, the largest self-reported group is White at 67.8%. The next largest groups are Black (26.4%) and Hispanic (2.2%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Brame
The surname Brame originated in France, where it can be traced back to the early Middle Ages. It is derived from the Old French word "brame," which means "to bray" or "to cry out." This suggests that the name may have initially been a nickname for someone with a loud or boisterous voice.
The earliest known record of the name Brame appears in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive land survey commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. This document includes several entries for individuals bearing the name Brame or similar spellings, such as Bram or Brahme.
Throughout the Middle Ages, the Brame family was concentrated in the northern regions of France, particularly in Normandy and Brittany. This is evidenced by historical records and the prevalence of place names containing the root "Brame," such as Bramevilliers and Bramevaque.
One notable figure bearing the Brame surname was Jean Brame, a French philosopher and theologian who lived in the late 15th century. He was known for his influential works on moral philosophy and his contributions to the intellectual discourse of the Renaissance period.
In the 17th century, a branch of the Brame family settled in England, where they established themselves as respected landowners and members of the gentry. One prominent English Brame was Sir Thomas Brame (1620-1692), a wealthy merchant and philanthropist who funded the construction of several churches and charitable institutions in his hometown of Bristol.
Another individual of historical significance was Jacques Brame (1745-1821), a French military officer who served under Napoleon Bonaparte. He rose to the rank of General and played a crucial role in several important battles during the Napoleonic Wars.
Over time, the Brame surname spread to other parts of Europe and eventually to the Americas, where it can still be found today. Despite its evolution and geographical dispersal, the name retains its connection to its Old French roots and the legacy of those who bore it throughout history.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Brame
Among Census respondents with the surname Brame, the largest self-reported group is White at 67.8%. The next largest groups are Black (26.4%) and Hispanic (2.2%).
The bar chart below shows how Brame bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Brame surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White67.8%
- Black or African American26.4%
- Hispanic or Latino2.2%
- Two or more races2.1%
- American Indian and Alaska Native0.8%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.7%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Brame surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2000 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #10,797 | #10,935 | -1.3% |
| Count | 2,712 | 2,911 | 7.3% |
| Per 100K | 1.01 | 0.99 | -2.0% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Brame bearers went from 2,712 to 2,911 (+7.3% change). The surname moved down 138 positions in the national ranking, going from #10,797 to #10,935.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Brame
FAQ
Brame surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Brame?
The surname Brame holds position #10,935 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 3,393 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.99 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Brame surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Brame, the largest self-reported group is White at 67.8%. The next largest groups are Black (26.4%) and Hispanic (2.2%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.