Brett
An English occupational surname referring to a person who breeds or tends cattle.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 6,375 Americans carry the last name Brett. That puts it at #6,235 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 1.86 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 53,765 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Brett 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
6.4K
1 in 53,765
Census rank
#6,235
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
1.9
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
5.5K
rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 5,482 bearers of the surname Brett in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 1.86 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 6235th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Brett, the largest self-reported group is White at 92.6%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.9%) and Black (2.2%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Brett
The surname Brett has its origins in France and dates back to the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Old French word 'bret', meaning a Briton or someone from Brittany. This suggests that the name was initially given to individuals who came from the region of Brittany or had ancestors from that area.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Brett can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a survey of landowners in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. The name appears as 'Bret', indicating its Norman-French roots.
In medieval England, the name was often associated with people from Brittany who had settled in various parts of the country. Some early examples include Robert Bret, who was recorded in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire in 1191, and William Bret, who was mentioned in the Curia Regis Rolls of Berkshire in 1221.
The spelling of the name evolved over time, with variations such as Bret, Brette, and Britt appearing in historical records. These variations were often influenced by regional dialects and scribal preferences.
One notable bearer of the surname was Sir Robert Brett (c. 1535-1609), an English diplomat and Member of Parliament during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. Another prominent figure was Henry Bret (1578-1644), an English politician who served as Sheriff of London and Middlesex.
In the 17th century, the name Brett was associated with several notable clergymen, including John Brett (1630-1685), an English clergyman and author, and Richard Brett (1637-1711), an English theologian and controversialist.
As the name spread across England, it became linked to various place names, such as Brett's Hall in Suffolk and Brett's Farm in Kent. These place names likely derived from the presence of families bearing the Brett surname in those locations.
Other notable individuals with the surname Brett throughout history include:
1. John Brett (1831-1902), an English landscape painter known for his depictions of coastal scenes.
2. Walter Brett (1909-1981), an American novelist and screenwriter best known for his work on the film "The Knack...and How to Get It."
3. George Sidney Brett (1876-1942), an English cricketer who played for Hampshire and captained the English national team.
4. Jane Brett (1949-), an American actress known for her roles in films such as "Suspiria" and "Tenebrae."
5. Jeremy Brett (1933-1995), an English actor best known for his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes in the television series "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes."
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Brett
Among Census respondents with the surname Brett, the largest self-reported group is White at 92.6%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.9%) and Black (2.2%).
The bar chart below shows how Brett 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 Brett surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White92.6%
- Hispanic or Latino2.9%
- Black or African American2.2%
- Two or more races1.2%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.9%
- American Indian and Alaska Native0.3%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Brett 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 | 2000 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #6,005 | #6,235 | -3.8% |
| Count | 5,280 | 5,482 | 3.8% |
| Per 100K | 1.96 | 1.86 | -5.1% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Brett bearers went from 5,280 to 5,482 (+3.8% change). The surname moved down 230 positions in the national ranking, going from #6,005 to #6,235.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Brett
FAQ
Brett surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Brett?
The surname Brett holds position #6,235 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 6,375 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 1.86 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Brett surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Brett, the largest self-reported group is White at 92.6%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.9%) and Black (2.2%). 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.