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

Broaden, 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 Broaden surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Broaden in America

Broaden is the 35057th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Broaden surname appeared 643 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 Broaden.

We can also compare 2010 data for Broaden 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 Broaden

The surname BROADEN is of English origin, with the earliest recorded examples dating back to the 13th century. The name is believed to have derived from the Old English word "brad," meaning broad or wide, indicating that the original bearers of the name may have lived near a broad road, path, or geographical feature.

One of the earliest recorded references to the name can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Bedfordshire from 1273, where a certain Roger Brodene is mentioned. This spelling variation highlights the evolution of the name over time, with various forms such as Brodene, Broddene, and Broaden emerging in different regions of England.

During the 14th century, the name BROADEN appeared in several historical records, including the Court Rolls of the Manor of Wakefield in Yorkshire, where a William Brodden is listed in 1348. This document provides valuable insight into the geographical distribution of the name during that era.

In the late 15th century, the name BROADEN was associated with a prominent figure, John Broaden, who served as the Lord Mayor of London in 1489. This connection to a high-ranking official further solidifies the name's presence in medieval England.

Another notable individual bearing the BROADEN surname was Richard Broaden, a Member of Parliament for Bridport in Dorset during the 16th century. He was born in 1525 and played an active role in local politics and governance.

In the 17th century, the name BROADEN gained recognition through the works of the English playwright and poet, William Broaden. Born in 1620, Broaden contributed several plays and literary works to the vibrant cultural scene of his time.

The BROADEN surname has also been linked to various place names across England, such as Broadenhall in Wiltshire and Broadenbury in Hertfordshire. These locations may have influenced the development of the name or provided residences for early bearers.

Throughout its history, the BROADEN surname has undergone various spellings and variations, including Broden, Brodden, Broadden, and Broadene, reflecting the fluidity of language and regional influences. Despite these variations, the name has maintained its connection to the concept of breadth or width, which likely originated from the characteristics of the original bearers' dwellings or surroundings.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Broaden

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

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

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

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