Bream
An English surname derived from the Old English word "breme," meaning a type of fish.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 788 Americans carry the last name Bream. That puts it at #33,772 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.23 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 434,967 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Bream 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
788
1 in 434,967
Census rank
#33,772
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.2
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
674
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 674 bearers of the surname Bream in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.23 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 33772nd position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Bream, the largest self-reported group is White at 97.8%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (1.6%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Bream
The surname BREAM is of English origin, derived from the Old English word 'brem' meaning a bream, a type of freshwater fish. The name likely originated as an occupational surname or a nickname for someone associated with fishing or trading bream.
The earliest recorded instance of the surname BREAM dates back to the 13th century in the county of Gloucestershire, England. In the Hundred Rolls of 1273, there is a reference to a William le Breme residing in that region.
During the medieval period, the name appeared in various records and manuscripts, often with slight variations in spelling such as Breme, Breem, and Breame. The Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of land and property in England compiled in 1086, does not contain any direct mentions of the BREAM surname, but it does include references to places and settlements that may have influenced the name's origins.
One notable bearer of the BREAM surname was John Bream, a prominent English merchant and member of the Worshipful Company of Salters in London during the 16th century. He was born around 1530 and played a significant role in the city's trade and commerce.
Another individual with the BREAM surname was William Bream, an English clergyman and author who lived in the 17th century. He was born in 1621 and published several works on religious subjects, including a treatise titled "The Glorious Epiphany" in 1670.
In the 18th century, Thomas Bream, a renowned clockmaker from London, made significant contributions to the art of timepiece-making. He was active between 1720 and 1760, and his clocks were highly sought after by the wealthy and aristocratic classes.
The name BREAM has also been associated with various place names throughout England, such as Bream's Buildings in London, which was a notable street or area named after a person with that surname.
Another notable figure was James Bream, an English cricketer who played for the Marylebone Cricket Club in the mid-19th century. He was born in 1827 and was known for his skill as a right-handed batsman and occasional wicket-keeper.
These examples illustrate the diverse backgrounds and professions associated with the BREAM surname, reflecting its historical ties to occupations, locations, and individuals of significance across various periods in English history.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Bream
Among Census respondents with the surname Bream, the largest self-reported group is White at 97.8%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (1.6%).
The bar chart below shows how Bream 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 Bream surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White97.8%
- Hispanic or Latino1.6%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Bream 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 | #33,772 | #33,772 | 0.0% |
| Count | 674 | 674 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.23 | 0.23 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Bream bearers went from 674 to 674 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #33,772 to #33,772.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Bream
FAQ
Bream surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Bream?
The surname Bream holds position #33,772 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 788 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.23 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Bream surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Bream, the largest self-reported group is White at 97.8%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (1.6%). 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.