Brosius
Derived from a Latinized form of the Greek name Ambrosios, meaning "immortal" or "divine".
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 2,262 Americans carry the last name Brosius. That puts it at #15,210 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.66 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 151,527 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Brosius 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
2.3K
1 in 151,527
Census rank
#15,210
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.7
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
1.9K
rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 1,937 bearers of the surname Brosius in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.66 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 15210th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Brosius, the largest self-reported group is White at 96.2%. The next largest groups are Two or More Races (1.4%) and Hispanic (1.0%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Brosius
The surname Brosius originates from Germany, with records dating back to the 16th century. It is believed to have derived from the German word "Bros," which means "bread," suggesting that the name may have been associated with bakers or those involved in the bread-making trade.
The earliest recorded instance of the name Brosius can be found in the town of Aachen, Germany, in the year 1573, where a certain Johann Brosius was listed as a resident. Additionally, the name appears in various church records and municipal documents from the same region during the 16th and 17th centuries.
In the late 17th century, the name Brosius began appearing in other parts of Germany, such as Bavaria and Saxony. This suggests that members of the family may have migrated or relocated during this period, possibly in search of better opportunities or due to political or religious upheaval.
One notable individual bearing the surname Brosius was Johann Brosius (1560-1623), a German theologian and philosopher who served as a professor at the University of Rostock. He was known for his writings on metaphysics and logic.
Another significant figure was Georg Brosius (1676-1745), a German architect and engineer who designed several notable buildings in Dresden, including the Zwinger Palace and the Catholic Court Church.
In the 19th century, the name Brosius gained some prominence in the United States, particularly in Pennsylvania. One prominent individual was Samuel Brosius (1813-1888), a Pennsylvania-born lawyer and politician who served as a member of the United States House of Representatives from 1875 to 1877.
Another notable American with the surname Brosius was Jacob Brosius (1848-1923), a German-born inventor and engineer who patented several important innovations in the field of metallurgy and steel production.
Finally, mention should be made of Emil Brosius (1890-1962), a German-American artist and illustrator known for his realistic depictions of rural life and landscapes. His works are found in numerous museums and private collections across the United States.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Brosius
Among Census respondents with the surname Brosius, the largest self-reported group is White at 96.2%. The next largest groups are Two or More Races (1.4%) and Hispanic (1.0%).
The bar chart below shows how Brosius 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 Brosius surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White96.2%
- Two or more races1.4%
- Hispanic or Latino1.0%
- Black or African American0.5%
- American Indian and Alaska Native0.5%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.4%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Brosius 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 | #15,210 | #15,210 | 0.0% |
| Count | 1,937 | 1,937 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.66 | 0.66 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Brosius bearers went from 1,937 to 1,937 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #15,210 to #15,210.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Brosius
FAQ
Brosius surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Brosius?
The surname Brosius holds position #15,210 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 2,262 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.66 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Brosius surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Brosius, the largest self-reported group is White at 96.2%. The next largest groups are Two or More Races (1.4%) and Hispanic (1.0%). 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.