Bratt
An English toponymic surname derived from a place name meaning "steep or declivitous place."
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 2,434 Americans carry the last name Bratt. That puts it at #14,264 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.71 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 140,819 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Bratt 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
2.4K
1 in 140,819
Census rank
#14,264
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.7
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
2.1K
rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 2,101 bearers of the surname Bratt in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.71 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 14264th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Bratt, the largest self-reported group is White at 92.2%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (3.5%) and Black (1.5%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Bratt
The surname Bratt has its origins in England, with records suggesting it emerged in the 12th century. It is believed to be derived from the Old English word "bratt," which means "cloak" or "mantle." This name likely originated as a nickname given to someone who wore a distinctive cloak or mantle.
The earliest known record of the surname Bratt can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire from 1166, where it appears as "Bratt." This document mentions a person named Richard Bratt. Another early record is from the Hundred Rolls of Huntingdonshire in 1273, which lists a John Bratt.
In the 14th century, the surname Bratt was recorded in various forms, such as Bratte, Brat, and Bratt. These variations reflect the different spellings and pronunciations used during that time. The Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from 1327 contain the name "Thomas Bratt."
One notable figure with the surname Bratt was Sir Reginald Bratt, a Member of Parliament for Norfolk in the late 15th century. He was born around 1450 and served in the Parliament of 1472-1475.
In the 16th century, the surname Bratt was found in various parts of England, including Norfolk, Suffolk, and Lincolnshire. The Subsidy Rolls of Suffolk from 1524 list a John Bratt, and the Subsidy Rolls of Lincolnshire from 1543 mention a Thomas Bratt.
The 17th century saw the emergence of several prominent individuals with the surname Bratt. One example is Samuel Bratt, an English clergyman and author who lived from 1638 to 1693. He was known for his work "The Divine Metaphysick," published in 1682.
Another notable figure was John Bratt, an English soldier and writer who was born in 1645 and died in 1726. He served in the British Army and wrote several works, including "The History of Gustavus Adolphus, King of Sweden" and "The Martial Revived: or, the Ancient Military Discipline for Foote Revived."
In the 18th century, the surname Bratt continued to be found in various parts of England. One interesting reference is from the parish records of St. Mary's Church in Nottingham, which mention the marriage of William Bratt and Elizabeth Barker in 1732.
Overall, the surname Bratt has a long and rich history in England, with records dating back to the 12th century. It is believed to have originated as a nickname related to clothing or appearance, and over the centuries, it has been associated with various notable individuals across different fields.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Bratt
Among Census respondents with the surname Bratt, the largest self-reported group is White at 92.2%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (3.5%) and Black (1.5%).
The bar chart below shows how Bratt 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 Bratt surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White92.2%
- Hispanic or Latino3.5%
- Black or African American1.5%
- Asian and Pacific Islander1.2%
- Two or more races1.1%
- American Indian and Alaska Native0.4%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Bratt 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 | #14,264 | #14,264 | 0.0% |
| Count | 2,101 | 2,101 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.71 | 0.71 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Bratt bearers went from 2,101 to 2,101 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #14,264 to #14,264.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Bratt
FAQ
Bratt surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Bratt?
The surname Bratt holds position #14,264 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 2,434 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.71 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Bratt surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Bratt, the largest self-reported group is White at 92.2%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (3.5%) and Black (1.5%). 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.