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

Branson, 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 Branson surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Branson in America

Branson is the 3106th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Branson surname appeared 11,587 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 4 people would have the surname Branson.

We can also compare 2010 data for Branson to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Branson

The surname Branson originated in England and is derived from the Old English words "bræn" meaning burnt or burned, and "tun" meaning an enclosure or settlement. This suggests that the name may have initially referred to someone who lived in or near a burned or charred area.

The earliest known recorded instance of the name Branson dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086, where it was spelled "Brantestone." This document, commissioned by William the Conqueror, was a comprehensive survey of landowners and their holdings in England and Wales.

During the 13th century, the name appeared in various records as "Bransone" and "Brantson." These variations likely stemmed from regional dialects and the lack of standardized spelling conventions at the time.

One notable bearer of the Branson name was Sir John Branson, a prominent English merchant and alderman in the city of London during the 15th century. He served as the Lord Mayor of London in 1463.

In the 16th century, the surname Branson was often associated with place names such as Branston, a village in Lincolnshire, and Brantston, a small hamlet in East Yorkshire. These place names are believed to have influenced the spelling and pronunciation of the surname over time.

Another historical figure of note was Thomas Branson, born in 1619, who was a prominent lawyer and judge in the American colony of Virginia. He served as the Speaker of the House of Burgesses and played a significant role in shaping the legal system of the colony.

During the 18th century, the Branson surname gained recognition through the works of Richard Branson, an English clergyman and author who lived from 1735 to 1803. He was known for his religious writings and sermons.

In the 19th century, the name Branson was associated with the English naturalist and explorer William Branson, born in 1816. He conducted extensive explorations in Africa and contributed significantly to the study of the continent's flora and fauna.

The Branson surname has continued to be widespread in various parts of the world, with notable bearers in fields such as business, science, and the arts. However, historical records from earlier centuries provide a valuable insight into the origins and evolution of this English surname.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Branson

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

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 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Branson 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.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Branson has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

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 Branson was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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