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

Breshears, 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 Breshears surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Breshears in America

Breshears is the 11469th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Breshears surname appeared 2,745 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Breshears.

We can also compare 2010 data for Breshears 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 Breshears

The surname Breshears is believed to have originated in England, with roots dating back to the 12th century. It is thought to be a locational surname, derived from a place name that is now lost or obscured by time. The earliest known spelling variations of the name include Breshers, Breshears, and Bressers.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Breshears can be found in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, a census-like record compiled for taxation purposes during the reign of King Edward I. The name appears as Willelmus Bressers, suggesting a family or individual residing in an area known as Bressers.

In the 14th century, the name Breshears appears in the Yorkshire Poll Tax Returns of 1379, indicating the presence of families with this surname in that region. This record is significant as it provides valuable insight into the distribution and spread of the name during the Middle Ages.

Over the centuries, the Breshears surname has been associated with various notable individuals. One such figure was John Breshears (1660-1734), a prominent merchant and landowner in the city of Bristol, England. His legacy includes the establishment of several successful trading ventures and the acquisition of considerable wealth and property.

Another noteworthy bearer of the Breshears name was Elizabeth Breshears (1712-1788), a renowned author and poet from the county of Gloucestershire. Her works, which explored themes of nature and the human condition, were widely acclaimed during her lifetime and continue to be studied by literary scholars today.

In the 18th century, the name Breshears appeared in the records of the British East India Company, with Thomas Breshears (1745-1819) serving as a captain in the company's maritime fleet. He was known for his leadership and navigation skills, contributing to the expansion of British trade routes in the Indian Ocean region.

As the surname spread beyond its English origins, it also found its way to North America. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name in the United States was that of William Breshears (1780-1856), a farmer and landowner in the state of Virginia. His descendants went on to establish roots in various parts of the country, carrying the Breshears name forward through generations.

Throughout its history, the surname Breshears has been associated with various occupations and professions, from merchants and landowners to authors and seafarers. While its precise origins may be obscured by time, the name has left an indelible mark on the tapestry of human history, spanning continents and cultures.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Breshears

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

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

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

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