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

Brathwaite, 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 Brathwaite surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Brathwaite in America

Brathwaite is the 9486th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Brathwaite surname appeared 3,429 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Brathwaite.

We can also compare 2010 data for Brathwaite 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 Brathwaite

The surname Brathwaite is of English origin, derived from a place name meaning "broad clearing in a wood." It is believed to have originated in the county of Yorkshire, where there are several places with similar names, such as Bradwaite and Braithwaite.

The earliest recorded use of the name Brathwaite dates back to the 13th century, with references found in medieval records and manuscripts. One notable entry is in the Subsidy Rolls of Yorkshire from 1301, which mentions a certain Robert de Braythwayt.

During the Middle Ages, the name was often spelled in various ways, including Braythwayte, Braithwaite, Braythwait, and Brathwait. These variations reflect the regional dialects and linguistic changes that occurred over time.

In the 16th century, the Brathwaite family gained prominence in the North of England. One notable figure was Richard Brathwait (1588-1673), an English poet and writer who published several works, including "The English Gentleman" and "The Honest Ghost."

Another historical figure bearing this surname was Thomas Whythorne Brathwaite (1588-1644), an English composer and musician who served as a court musician to King James I and King Charles I.

In the 17th century, the Brathwaites were well-established landowners in Yorkshire, with several branches of the family holding estates in the region. One notable member was Sir Thomas Brathwaite (1609-1693), a baronet and Member of Parliament for Northallerton.

During the 18th and 19th centuries, the Brathwaite name continued to be associated with Yorkshire gentry and landed families. One notable individual was Reverend Richard Brathwaite (1765-1841), a clergyman and poet who wrote several works on religious and moral themes.

Throughout its history, the surname Brathwaite has also been linked to various place names in Yorkshire, such as Braithwaite Hall, Braithwaite Village, and Braithwaite Beck, reflecting the geographical origins of the name.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Brathwaite

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

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

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

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