Branagh
An Anglicized variant of the Irish surname 'Ó Branagáin', referring to one descended from Branagán.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 137 Americans carry the last name Branagh. That puts it at #142,108 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.04 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 2,501,856 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Branagh 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
137
1 in 2,501,856
Census rank
#142,108
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.0
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
117
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 117 bearers of the surname Branagh in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.04 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 142108th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Branagh, the largest self-reported group is White at 92.3%. The next largest groups are Black (6.0%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Branagh
The surname Branagh has its origins in Ireland, specifically in the Gaelic-speaking areas of the country. The name is derived from the Irish Gaelic words "bran" meaning raven and "ach" meaning abounding in or belonging to, suggesting a connection to an area abundant in ravens or a place where ravens were commonly found.
The earliest known records of the surname Branagh date back to the 16th century in County Down, Northern Ireland. It is believed that the name was initially associated with the baronies of Iveagh and Kinelarty in the northeastern part of the country.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Fiants of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth, which were records of royal grants and pardons issued during the reign of Elizabeth I. In these records, dated 1588, a "Patrick Branagh" is mentioned as receiving a pardon.
The Branagh surname has also been linked to various place names in Ireland, such as Branagh Townland in County Down and Branagh Lough in County Tyrone. These locations may have played a role in the origin and dissemination of the name.
Notable individuals bearing the surname Branagh include:
1. Kenneth Branagh (born 1960), an acclaimed Northern Irish actor, director, and screenwriter, best known for his adaptations of Shakespearean plays and roles in films like "Henry V," "Hamlet," and the "Harry Potter" series.
2. Sir William Branagh (1859-1929), a Scottish-born politician who served as a member of the British House of Commons representing Glasgow Camlachie from 1906 to 1918.
3. Donal Branagh (1940-2021), an Irish hurler who played for the Kilkenny senior hurling team in the 1960s and won three All-Ireland medals.
4. Eileen Branagh (1900-1962), an Australian author and playwright known for her novels set in rural Australia, such as "The Valley Between" and "The Painted Trail."
5. Patrick Branagh (fl. 1588), an Irishman from County Down who received a royal pardon, as mentioned in the Fiants of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth.
While the surname Branagh has its roots in Ireland, it has since spread to other parts of the world through emigration and migration. However, its historical origins and connections to specific regions and place names in Ireland remain an integral part of its genealogical significance.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Branagh
Among Census respondents with the surname Branagh, the largest self-reported group is White at 92.3%. The next largest groups are Black (6.0%).
The bar chart below shows how Branagh 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 Branagh surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White92.3%
- Black or African American6.0%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Branagh 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 | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #142,108 | #142,108 | 0.0% |
| Count | 117 | 117 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.04 | 0.04 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Branagh bearers went from 117 to 117 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #142,108 to #142,108.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Branagh
FAQ
Branagh surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Branagh?
The surname Branagh holds position #142,108 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 137 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.04 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Branagh surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Branagh, the largest self-reported group is White at 92.3%. The next largest groups are Black (6.0%). 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.