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

Brean, 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 Brean surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Brean in America

Brean is the 70833rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Brean surname appeared 276 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Brean.

We can also compare 2010 data for Brean 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 Brean

The surname BREAN has its origins in the Devon region of England, dating back to the 11th century. It is believed to be derived from the Old English word "bryn," meaning a hill or slope, suggesting that the earliest bearers of this name lived near a prominent hilltop location.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the BREAN surname can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it is listed as "Breme" and refers to a settlement in Somerset. This indicates that the name was already in use during the Norman Conquest and the subsequent compilation of this important historical record.

During the Middle Ages, variations of the BREAN surname emerged, such as Breyn, Breyne, and Breine, reflecting the evolution of language and regional dialects. These alternative spellings were often used interchangeably in ancient documents and manuscripts.

In the 13th century, a notable figure named William BREAN (c. 1220-1285) was recorded as a landowner in the village of Brean, Somerset. This geographical location likely played a significant role in the establishment of the BREAN surname within the local community.

Another prominent individual bearing the BREAN surname was Sir John BREAN (1480-1537), a wealthy merchant and politician who served as Lord Mayor of London in 1522. His influence and success in commerce and governance contributed to the recognition of the BREAN name during the Tudor period.

In the realm of literature, the poet and playwright John BREAN (1625-1690) gained recognition for his works, including the play "The Ambitious Statesman" and several collections of poetry. His literary contributions helped to further disseminate the BREAN surname across Britain.

During the 17th century, the BREAN family established roots in the North American colonies, with Robert BREAN (1635-1701) being among the earliest settlers to arrive in Massachusetts from England. He and his descendants played a role in the development of the New England region.

Another notable figure was Sir Edward BREAN (1720-1795), a prominent military officer who served in the British Army during the American Revolutionary War. His service and exploits during this period added to the historical significance of the BREAN surname.

Throughout the centuries, the BREAN surname has been associated with various occupations, from landowners and merchants to writers and military personnel. While its origins can be traced back to the hills and slopes of Devon, this name has left an indelible mark on the history of England and beyond.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Brean

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

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

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

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