Brando
Italian surname referring to a burning torch or fire brand.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 446 Americans carry the last name Brando. That puts it at #53,913 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.13 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 768,507 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Brando 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
446
1 in 768,507
Census rank
#53,913
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
383
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 383 bearers of the surname Brando in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.13 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 53913th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Brando, the largest self-reported group is White at 73.1%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (16.4%) and Black (3.9%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Brando
The surname Brando traces its origins to Italy, with the earliest records dating back to the 12th century. It is believed to have originated from the Italian word "brando," which means "sword" or "blazing fire." This suggests that the name may have been initially given to a skilled swordsman or a blacksmith who worked with fire.
In the early days, the name was primarily concentrated in the regions of Tuscany and Umbria, particularly in the cities of Florence and Perugia. Historical records from these areas mention various individuals with the surname Brando, indicating its presence and use during the medieval period.
One of the earliest known references to the name Brando can be found in the Florentine Priors' records from the 13th century, which list a certain Bindo Brando as a prominent citizen of the city. This document provides valuable insight into the name's antiquity and its connection to the influential families of the time.
The Brando surname has also been linked to several place names in Italy, such as Brando Montelupo, a small town located near Florence. It is possible that the surname originated from this location or that some families adopted the place name as their surname.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the surname Brando. One of the most famous was Marlon Brando (1924-2004), the acclaimed American actor renowned for his performances in films like "The Godfather" and "A Streetcar Named Desire." Despite his Italian surname, Brando's ancestors were of mixed French, Dutch, and English descent.
Another prominent figure with the surname Brando was Giovanni Brando (1573-1638), an Italian painter and architect from Perugia. He was known for his work on various churches and palaces in his native city, leaving a lasting architectural legacy.
In the literary world, Orazio Brando (1701-1765) was an Italian poet and playwright from Siena. His works, including comedies and tragedies, were widely acclaimed during his lifetime and contributed to the cultural landscape of 18th-century Italy.
The surname Brando also has ties to the military, with General Raffaele Brando (1829-1900) being a distinguished Italian soldier who fought in the Wars of Italian Unification and later served as a senator in the newly formed Kingdom of Italy.
Lastly, Renato Brando (1886-1977) was an Italian artist and sculptor known for his works in bronze and marble. His sculptures can be found in various public spaces and museums across Italy, showcasing the artistic talents associated with this surname.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Brando
Among Census respondents with the surname Brando, the largest self-reported group is White at 73.1%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (16.4%) and Black (3.9%).
The bar chart below shows how Brando 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 Brando surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White73.1%
- Hispanic or Latino16.4%
- Black or African American3.9%
- Two or more races3.9%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Brando 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 | #53,913 | #53,913 | 0.0% |
| Count | 383 | 383 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.13 | 0.13 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Brando bearers went from 383 to 383 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #53,913 to #53,913.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Brando
FAQ
Brando surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Brando?
The surname Brando holds position #53,913 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 446 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.13 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Brando surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Brando, the largest self-reported group is White at 73.1%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (16.4%) and Black (3.9%). 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.