Brenon
A derivative of the French word "brenon" meaning moor or marshland.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 274 Americans carry the last name Brenon. That puts it at #80,131 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.08 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 1,250,928 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Brenon 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
274
1 in 1,250,928
Census rank
#80,131
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
237
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 237 bearers of the surname Brenon in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.08 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 80131st position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Brenon, the largest self-reported group is White at 96.6%.
Origin
Meaning and origin of Brenon
The surname Brenon originated in France, with roots that can be traced back to the Middle Ages. It is believed to be derived from the Old French word "bren," meaning "bran" or "wheat husk." This suggests that the name may have been initially associated with individuals involved in the production or trade of wheat and its byproducts.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Brenon can be found in the Cartulaire de Notre-Dame de Paris, a medieval manuscript from the 12th century. This document mentions a certain "Radulfus Brenon," indicating that the name was already in use during that time period.
In the 13th century, there are records of a noble family bearing the name Brenon in the region of Burgundy, France. They owned lands and properties in the area, and their name was often associated with various locations and place names, such as "Brenon-sur-Marne" and "Brenon-la-Ville."
One notable figure from this era was Jean Brenon, a French knight who participated in the Seventh Crusade (1248-1254) under the leadership of King Louis IX. He is mentioned in several chronicles and manuscripts documenting the events of the crusade.
During the Renaissance period, the name Brenon became more widespread, with several individuals achieving recognition in various fields. Pierre Brenon (1472-1537) was a renowned French jurist and legal scholar who served as a judge in the Parlement of Paris.
In the realm of art, Claude Brenon (1598-1661) was a notable French painter known for his religious works and portraits. He was commissioned by several churches and wealthy patrons in Paris and the surrounding regions.
Another prominent figure was François Brenon (1632-1719), a French Jesuit priest and philosopher. He taught at the College of Louis-le-Grand in Paris and wrote several influential works on theology and ethics.
As the centuries progressed, the Brenon name continued to appear in various contexts throughout France. Some notable examples include Étienne Brenon (1779-1847), a French politician and lawyer who served as a deputy during the French Revolution, and Léon Brenon (1859-1940), a French entrepreneur and industrialist who played a significant role in the development of the steel industry in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
While the surname Brenon has its roots firmly planted in French soil, it has also found its way into other parts of the world through migration and cultural exchange. However, the majority of historical references and notable individuals bearing this name can be traced back to its origins in France, where it has left an indelible mark on the country's rich history and cultural heritage.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Brenon
Among Census respondents with the surname Brenon, the largest self-reported group is White at 96.6%.
The bar chart below shows how Brenon 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 Brenon surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White96.6%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Brenon 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 | #80,131 | #80,131 | 0.0% |
| Count | 237 | 237 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.08 | 0.08 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Brenon bearers went from 237 to 237 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #80,131 to #80,131.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Brenon
FAQ
Brenon surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Brenon?
The surname Brenon holds position #80,131 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 274 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.08 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Brenon surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Brenon, the largest self-reported group is White at 96.6%. 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.