Brown is a fairly common surname in many English-speaking countries. As one of the most prevalent last names, many people wonder just how common the name Brown is and where it ranks among the most popular surnames. In this article, we will explore the usage and frequency of the last name Brown through historical and statistical data.
Origin and History
The surname Brown has been in use for centuries and has multiple origins. The name is derived from the Old English word “brun” meaning the color brown. It began being adopted as a nickname referring to someone with brown hair, complexion or clothing. The name Brunus dates back to medieval England as a Latinized Germanic name meaning brown.
The name Brown also has origins from places related to the color brown. Someone living near a brown hill, moor or field may have taken on Brown as a descriptive locational surname. Occupational names like Brauner refer to a dyer or color producer of brown cloth or leather.
Over time, Brown became established as a hereditary surname passed down through generations of families in England, Scotland and Ireland. Spelling variations emerged such as Browne and Broun. The prevalence of Brown as a surname increased dramatically in the late Middle Ages.
United States
Brown is an exceedingly common last name in the United States. According to census data, Brown was the 3rd most common surname recorded in the 2010 census. Approximately 1,737,433 Americans share the Brown surname.
To put this into perspective, here are the top 10 most common last names in the U.S. and the estimated number of people with each surname:
| Rank | Last Name | Number of Americans |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Smith | 2,442,977 |
| 2 | Johnson | 1,932,812 |
| 3 | Brown | 1,737,433 |
| 4 | Williams | 1,623,019 |
| 5 | Jones | 1,493,796 |
| 6 | Garcia | 1,312,973 |
| 7 | Miller | 1,161,437 |
| 8 | Davis | 1,116,357 |
| 9 | Rodriguez | 1,096,745 |
| 10 | Martinez | 1,049,478 |
Brown ranks in the top 3 of the most prevalent surnames across all major ethnic groups as well. It ranks #3 among Caucasian Americans, #3 among Hispanic Americans and #4 among African Americans.
Regionally, Brown as a surname is most highly concentrated in the southern states of America, particularly in Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, South Carolina and Texas. It reached high popularity in the South during the 19th century. The name also has a notable presence in the northeast region.
England and Wales
As one would expect from its origins, Brown is an exceedingly common surname in England and Wales. According to official statistics, Brown was the 4th most common surname during the 2011 UK census. Approximately 482,113 people reported having the surname Brown on the census.
The top 10 surname rankings for England and Wales in 2011 were:
| Rank | Last Name | Number of People |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Smith | 582,000 |
| 2 | Jones | 500,000 |
| 3 | Taylor | 490,000 |
| 4 | Brown | 482,113 |
| 5 | Williams | 465,000 |
| 6 | Davies | 437,000 |
| 7 | Evans | 423,000 |
| 8 | Wilson | 421,000 |
| 9 | Thomas | 407,000 |
| 10 | Johnson | 406,000 |
The distribution of Brown as a surname varied by region. It was most prevalent in the following regions:
– North West England
– Yorkshire and the Humber
– East Midlands
– West Midlands
The name Brown also ranked among the top 5 surnames in both Scotland and Wales in the 2011 census.
Canada
Brown is also a very familiar surname to find in Canada. According to 2016 Canadian census data, Brown was the 7th most frequent surname reported among Canadian respondents. Approximately 117,430 individuals reported having the last name Brown on the census.
Here were the top 10 most common Canadian surnames:
| Rank | Last Name | Number of Canadians |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Smith | 178,720 |
| 2 | Brown | 117,430 |
| 3 | Tremblay | 114,095 |
| 4 | Martin | 104,245 |
| 5 | Roy | 103,305 |
| 6 | Gauthier | 101,525 |
| 7 | Brown | 95,350 |
| 8 | Wilson | 94,165 |
| 9 | Campbell | 92,985 |
| 10 | Taylor | 91,530 |
The prevalence of Brown as a surname was highest in Ontario, British Columbia, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.
Australia
In the 2016 Australian census, Brown was the 7th most common surname among the Australian population. Approximately 159,167 individuals reported having the surname Brown.
The top 10 surnames in Australia were:
| Rank | Surname | Number of Australians |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Smith | 299,928 |
| 2 | Jones | 161,474 |
| 3 | Williams | 159,252 |
| 4 | Taylor | 147,245 |
| 5 | Brown | 159,167 |
| 6 | Wilson | 133,028 |
| 7 | Johnson | 131,667 |
| 8 | Thomas | 117,087 |
| 9 | Walker | 116,656 |
| 10 | Martin | 106,691 |
The Brown surname was most prevalent in the eastern states of New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland. It was less common in Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory.
Conclusion
In summary, Brown is an exceedingly common surname with English and Scottish roots that spread worldwide due to migration and colonization. It ranks among the top 10 most popular last names in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia. The name Brown remains a prevalent part of the onomastic landscape today. So in answer to the original question, yes Brown is a very common last name, but continues to have deep history and significance for those families that bear it.
