Broderick
Derived from the Irish surname Ó Bruadair, meaning "descendant of Bruadar" (an Old Irish byname meaning "dream" or "vision").
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 12,202 Americans carry the last name Broderick. That puts it at #3,404 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 3.56 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 28,090 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Broderick 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
12K
1 in 28,090
Census rank
#3,404
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
3.6
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
11K
uncommon in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 10,504 bearers of the surname Broderick in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 3.56 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 3404th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Broderick, the largest self-reported group is White at 90.5%. The next largest groups are Black (4.4%) and Hispanic (3.0%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Broderick
The surname Broderick is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic name "Broderick" or "Brothairche", which means "brother" or "descendant of the friar". It is believed to have originated in the counties of Cork and Limerick in Ireland, where it was first recorded in the 12th century.
One of the earliest recorded references to the name Broderick can be found in the Annals of Inisfallen, a chronicle of Irish history written in the 12th century. The name appears in various spellings, such as "Broderick", "Brodrig", and "Brodryg", indicating its evolution over time.
In the 16th century, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, the Broderick family gained prominence as members of the Irish landed gentry. Thomas Broderick (c. 1550-1625) was granted land in County Cork and became a prominent landowner.
Over the centuries, the Broderick surname has been associated with several notable individuals. One such individual was Sir John Broderick (1625-1707), an Irish lawyer and politician who served as Lord Chancellor of Ireland from 1685 to 1687.
Another prominent figure was William Brodrick, 8th Viscount Midleton (1856-1942), a British politician and writer who served as Secretary of State for War from 1901 to 1903.
In the literary world, Fabian Broderick (1921-2010) was an Irish writer and poet who published several collections of poetry and was awarded the Irish American Cultural Institute's Literary Award in 2004.
The Broderick surname has also been associated with sports figures, such as Brendan Broderick (born 1985), an Irish cricketer who has played for the Irish national team.
While the name Broderick has its roots in Ireland, it has since spread to other parts of the world, including the United States, Australia, and various European countries, as Irish immigrants settled in these regions over the centuries.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Broderick
Among Census respondents with the surname Broderick, the largest self-reported group is White at 90.5%. The next largest groups are Black (4.4%) and Hispanic (3.0%).
The bar chart below shows how Broderick 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 Broderick surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White90.5%
- Black or African American4.4%
- Hispanic or Latino3.0%
- Two or more races1.2%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.7%
- American Indian and Alaska Native0.2%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Broderick 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 | #3,404 | #3,404 | 0.0% |
| Count | 10,504 | 10,504 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 3.56 | 3.56 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Broderick bearers went from 10,504 to 10,504 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #3,404 to #3,404.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Broderick
FAQ
Broderick surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Broderick?
The surname Broderick holds position #3,404 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 12,202 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 3.56 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Broderick surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Broderick, the largest self-reported group is White at 90.5%. The next largest groups are Black (4.4%) and Hispanic (3.0%). 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.