Is Brown a rare last name?

The last name Brown is not rare at all; it's one of the most common surnames in English-speaking countries, ranking as the 4th most popular in the U.S. and Australia, and very common in the UK, Canada, and Jamaica, stemming from a descriptive name for brown hair or complexion and adopted by many groups, including African Americans after the Civil War.

How common is the last name Brown?

The last name Brown is extremely common, consistently ranking as the 4th most popular surname in the United States, with over 1.4 million people sharing the name, and is also a top surname in England, Australia, and Canada, reflecting its widespread English, Scottish, and Irish origins.
 

What's the rarest last name?

There's no single "rarest" last name globally, as it depends on location and data, but names like Scherwinger, Warsmith, Bovine, and Cushion are cited as extremely rare, sometimes existing in only a handful of individuals or bloodlines in the U.S., with others like Yess, Zillmann, or Wooledge having under 100 bearers in the US according to recent censuses, highlighting names on the brink of extinction. 

Who has the last name Brown?

Famous People with the Surname Brown:

John Brown—North American 19th-century Black activist (1800–1859) Charlie Brown—the fictional central character of the popular Peanuts cartoon by Charles Schultz. Dan Brown—bestselling author, best known for The DaVinci Code. James Brown—The "Godfather of Soul"

Why is Brown a popular last name?

The last name Brown essentially derives from a nickname. In England, Scotland, or Ireland, those with brown or red hair, or dark skin, might have been called “Brown,” and the name stuck.

The story of the name Brown or Browne.

Is Brown a white or black last name?

Lots of people in England and Scotland adopted this name, many people with the surname settled USA, Canada and Australia. After the civil war many African Americans adopted this name and its now the second most common African American Surname. Others adopted it in honor of abolitionist John Brown (1800-1859).

What is the #1 most common last name?

The #1 most common last name varies by region, but globally, Wang (China) and Smith (English-speaking world) are top contenders; in the United States, Smith is #1, followed by Johnson, Williams, Brown, and Jones, reflecting English/European roots, while Garcia is the leading Hispanic surname.
 

How old is the surname Brown?

We have 1,920,000 records for the Brown surname. The oldest one dates back to 1100.

Is Brown a Hispanic last name?

No, Brown (or variations like Bruno, Brun, Braun) isn't inherently Hispanic; it's a common English, Scottish, Irish, German name describing hair/complexion, but it has been adopted by many, including African Americans and Native Americans, and can be an Anglicization of European names meaning "brown," but it's not a traditional Spanish surname like López or García.
 

What does it mean if your last name is brown?

The last name Brown is primarily a descriptive English surname meaning "brown," given to people with brown hair, eyes, skin, or clothing, originating from Old English, French (Brun), or German (Braun) roots. It also comes from Scottish/Irish Gaelic (donn) or Norse, and became common in English-speaking countries through migration and its adoption by freed slaves in America.
 

What last names have died out?

Extinct surnames are those that have died out, often due to a lack of male heirs or assimilation, with examples including rare historical English names like Chips, Hatman, and Rummage, and modern "endangered" names such as Dankworth, Birdwhistle, and MacQuoid, which have very few bearers left, often due to spelling variations or very localized family lines disappearing. Surnames vanish when families cease to use them, sometimes replaced by more common variants or hyphenated names, making genealogy research crucial for preserving these unique identifiers. 

What is the #1 last name in the world?

The Most Common Last Name on Earth

There's no doubt about which surname is the most popular in the world: Wang. More than 106 million people have the surname Wang, a Mandarin term for "prince" or "king."

What are extremely rare names?

Very rare names often come from ancient sources, mythology, nature, or unique linguistic roots, including options like Zephyr, Calliope, Demosthenes, Neroli, Orestes, Vespera, Perseus, Fenella, Ambrosius, and Caspian, offering distinctive sounds and deep meanings for those seeking truly uncommon choices. Many rare names are vintage terms falling out of fashion or names from other cultures, providing unique character. 

Is Brown a boy or girl name?

Used for both males and females in America, Brown exhibits gender neutrality that has become increasingly popular for contemporary naming practices. The name derives from the Old English "brun," originally describing someone with brown hair or complexion.

What is the rarest last name?

There's no single "rarest" last name globally, as it changes constantly, but extremely rare names exist with very few bearers, like Hablares (50 worldwide) or names with fewer than 100 people, such as Yess, Bouchier, or Wooledge in the U.S., often representing surnames at the brink of extinction. These incredibly uncommon names are sometimes unique to a single family or small community, making definitive global ranking impossible. 

Is Brown a German name?

You may ask, where does the last name brown come from? In old German, the name was Brun, and was borrowed into French to give Le Brun. It is believed that the surname Brown came from Old English to literally mean the colour brown.

What's a fancy name for brown?

Fancy words for brown depend on the shade and context, with elegant options like umber, sepia, mahogany, auburn, tawny, chestnut, or bronze, describing rich, deep, or reddish-browns, while khaki, fawn, or beige suit lighter, earthy tones, offering more descriptive flair than just "brown".
 

Is brown Mexican or Indian?

"Brown" has been used as a term in popular culture for Americans of South Asian, Middle Eastern, North African, Southeast Asian, Native American, and/or Latino origin, either as a pejorative term or sometimes for self-identification, as with brown identity.

Is Brown a rare surname?

Originally a descriptive term for the colour of a person's hair, complexion, or clothing, Brown is now one of the most common surnames in England, but there is nothing commonplace about the lives, times and achievements of those who have borne the name down through the centuries until the present day.

Is Brown a Viking name?

Etymology and history of the surname

This nickname is derived from the Old English brun, brūn; Middle English brun, broun; or Old French brun. The root word is also sometimes found in Old English and Old Norse bynames, such as the Old Norse Brúnn; however these names were not common after the Norman Conquest (in 1066).

Is Brown a real name?

Brown is a masculine name of Old English origin. While it was typically used to refer to a person's hair or eye color, this name can give your little one plenty of inspiration. The color brown represents so many things, from the stability and groundedness of the earth to the warm comfort of autumn.

Why is the surname Brown so popular?

Brown is a common surname because it started as a simple nickname for people with brown hair, eyes, or clothing, derived from Old English/French "brun," and was easily adopted, translated (like German "Braun," Gaelic "Donn"), or chosen by freed slaves for its simplicity, making it popular across English-speaking countries and beyond. 

What is the #1 Mexican last name?

List of the most common surnames in Mexico: Hernández – 5,526,929. García – 4,129,360.

What's the longest last name ever?

The longest last name belongs to the late German-American typesetter Hubert Blaine Wolfeschlegelsteinhausenbergerdorff Sr., whose full surname was a single word 666 letters long, part of a name that included 26 given names, one for each letter of the alphabet. While his full name was extremely long and complex (often shortened or varied due to typos), it held the record for the longest personal name ever used, though government forms often used a shorter version.
 

What is the #1 most popular name?

The #1 most popular baby names in the U.S. are Liam for boys and Olivia for girls, a trend holding for several years according to the Social Security Administration (SSA) and other sources. For overall historical popularity in the U.S., James (male) and Mary (female) are the top names over the last 100 years.