Brolin
A Swedish surname with potential origins related to a place name or an older occupation.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 411 Americans carry the last name Brolin. That puts it at #59,470 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.12 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 833,952 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Brolin 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
411
1 in 833,952
Census rank
#59,470
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
340
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 340 bearers of the surname Brolin in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.12 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 59470th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Brolin, the largest self-reported group is White at 92.9%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (3.2%) and Two or More Races (2.4%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Brolin
The surname Brolin originated in Sweden during the late medieval period. It is derived from the Old Norse words "bro" meaning bridge and "linn" meaning shelter or dwelling, indicating that the earliest bearers of this name may have resided near a bridge or shelter.
The name Brolin can be traced back to the 15th century in Scandinavia, where it was initially spelled as "Brolinn" or "Brolindh." Some of the earliest recorded instances of this surname are found in Swedish parish records from the 16th and 17th centuries, primarily in the regions of Dalarna and Värmland.
One notable historical reference to the name Brolin is found in the Swedish Genealogical Handbook from the 18th century, which mentions a family with this surname residing in the town of Gävle. The handbook also suggests that the name may have been derived from a specific location or farm called "Brolin."
The earliest known bearer of the surname Brolin was Lars Brolin, born in 1583 in Dalarna, Sweden. Another notable figure was Johan Brolin, a Swedish merchant and ship owner who lived in the 17th century and was involved in the lucrative trade between Sweden and the Netherlands.
One of the most famous individuals with the surname Brolin was Carl Brolin (1861-1925), a Swedish painter and artist known for his landscapes and portraits. He was born in Gävle and studied at the Royal Swedish Academy of Arts.
Another noteworthy person with this surname was Nils Brolin (1890-1971), a Swedish writer and journalist who worked for several newspapers and published numerous books, including novels and short stories.
In the 20th century, the name Brolin gained international recognition with the American actor James Brolin (born 1940), known for his roles in films such as "Westworld," "Catch Me If You Can," and "Traffic." He is the father of the actor Josh Brolin (born 1968), who has starred in movies like "No Country for Old Men," "Milk," and the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Additionally, Peter Brolin (born 1957) is a Swedish singer and songwriter who has achieved success in his home country, particularly with his album "En liten bit av evigheten" released in 1983.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Brolin
Among Census respondents with the surname Brolin, the largest self-reported group is White at 92.9%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (3.2%) and Two or More Races (2.4%).
The bar chart below shows how Brolin 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 Brolin surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White92.9%
- Hispanic or Latino3.2%
- Two or more races2.4%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Brolin 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 | #59,470 | #59,470 | 0.0% |
| Count | 340 | 340 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.12 | 0.12 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Brolin bearers went from 340 to 340 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #59,470 to #59,470.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Brolin
FAQ
Brolin surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Brolin?
The surname Brolin holds position #59,470 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 411 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.12 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Brolin surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Brolin, the largest self-reported group is White at 92.9%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (3.2%) and Two or More Races (2.4%). 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.