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

Braze, 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 Braze surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Braze in America

Braze is the 133114th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Braze surname appeared 117 times in the 2000 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Braze.

The history of the last name Braze

The surname Braze is relatively rare and is believed to have its origins in Western Europe, particularly from the regions that are today part of France and Belgium. The earliest usage of surnames in these areas dates back to the medieval period, roughly between the 11th and 14th centuries. The name Braze likely derives from an old French word "bras," meaning "arm," which could have been used to describe someone strong or a person who may have been a soldier or blacksmith.

In historical records, the surname Braze appears infrequently, but it has been noted in various documents. An early variant of the name can be found in the records of the Abbey of Saint-Martin in Tournai, Belgium, from the 12th century. These records mention a certain Guillaume de Bras, indicating a possible origin of the surname.

By the 14th century, the name appears in various forms across different regions. In France, there is a reference to a Jean Braze in the tax rolls from 1374 in the region of Normandy. This suggests that the family had settled and integrated into the local communities by this time.

The surname also appears in England during the 16th century, likely a result of the migration or trade routes. One of the earliest recorded instances is Richard Braze, who is documented in the parish records of Yorkshire in 1567. This indicates the spread of the surname beyond its original homeland.

Another notable figure with the surname Braze is Michel Braze, a merchant in Antwerp, who lived during the late 17th century. His activities in trade were well-documented, and he played a significant role in the economic life of the city. His records indicate that the Braze family had established itself in the merchant class.

In the 18th century, the name appeared in military records in France. Captain Louis Braze, born in 1710 and died in 1772, served with distinction in the French army during the War of Austrian Succession. His service records highlight the prominence the family had achieved in military circles.

Another documented individual was Catherine Braze, born in 1765 in Lyon, France. She is noted in civil records for her involvement in local charitable activities and her significant contributions to the relief efforts during the French Revolution.

The Braze surname, though not widely spread, has appeared in numerous historical contexts, each illustrating different facets of medieval and early modern European life. Through these instances, we see the evolution and spread of the surname from its likely origin related to physical or occupational descriptors to a more widespread appellation across various regions and societal roles.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Braze

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

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 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Braze 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.

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

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

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