NameCensus.

UK surname

Brannen

An Irish surname derived from the Gaelic "Ó Braonáin," meaning "descendant of Braonán," a personal name meaning "sorrow."

In the 1881 census there were 352 people recorded with the Brannen surname, ranking it #8,718 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 399, ranked #11,902, down from #8,718 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Gateshead, Tynemouth (Chirton, Preston, Murton, Whitley, Monkseaton), Earsdon (Earsdon) and Edinburgh. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include County Durham, Thrashbush and Kirkshaws.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Brannen is 423 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 13.4%.

1881 census count

352

Ranked #8,718

Modern count

399

2016, ranked #11,902

Peak year

2010

423 bearers

Map years

8

1861 to 2016

Key insights

  • Brannen had 352 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #8,718 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 399 in 2016, ranked #11,902.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 411 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Young Families in Industrial Towns.

Brannen surname distribution map

The map shows where the Brannen surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Brannen surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Brannen over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1851 historical 75 #20,268
1861 historical 121 #18,148
1881 historical 352 #8,718
1891 historical 333 #10,223
1901 historical 411 #9,300
1911 historical 356 #10,148
1997 modern 351 #12,145
1998 modern 362 #12,259
1999 modern 378 #11,935
2000 modern 365 #12,196
2001 modern 370 #11,904
2002 modern 387 #11,713
2003 modern 369 #11,941
2004 modern 369 #11,967
2005 modern 377 #11,714
2006 modern 369 #11,965
2007 modern 383 #11,751
2008 modern 395 #11,598
2009 modern 409 #11,524
2010 modern 423 #11,470
2011 modern 414 #11,533
2012 modern 405 #11,627
2013 modern 402 #11,871
2014 modern 412 #11,743
2015 modern 398 #11,949
2016 modern 399 #11,902

Geography

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Where Brannens are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Gateshead, Tynemouth (Chirton, Preston, Murton, Whitley, Monkseaton), Earsdon (Earsdon), Edinburgh, Batley and Glasgow. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to County Durham, Thrashbush, Kirkshaws and Newcastle upon Tyne. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Gateshead Durham
2 Tynemouth (Chirton, Preston, Murton, Whitley, Monkseaton), Earsdon (Earsdon) Northumberland
3 Edinburgh Edinburgh
4 Batley Yorkshire, West Riding
5 Glasgow Lanark

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 County Durham 007 County Durham
2 Thrashbush North Lanarkshire
3 County Durham 026 County Durham
4 Kirkshaws North Lanarkshire
5 Newcastle upon Tyne 031 Newcastle upon Tyne

Forenames

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First names often paired with Brannen

These lists show first names that appear often with the Brannen surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Brannen

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Brannen, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce

Group

Young Families in Industrial Towns

Nationally, the Brannen surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Young Families in Industrial Towns, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Brannen household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These neighbourhoods house predominantly young, UK-born individuals identifying with a White ethnic group with dependent children. Long-term disability and unpaid care are prevalent, and religious affiliations are uncommon. Housing is terraced or semi-detached and social rented sector housing is the norm. Unemployment is above the Supergroup average, and employment is principally in elementary occupations, as process plant and machine operatives, or in caring and leisure services. Educational attainment is low. The group is scattered throughout former industrial towns in the Midlands and the South Wales Valleys.

Wider pattern

Living in terraced or semi-detached houses, residents of these neighbourhoods typically lack high levels of education and work in elementary or routine service occupations. Unemployment is above average. Residents are predominantly born in the UK, and residents are also predominantly from ethnic minorities. Social (but not private sector) rented sector housing is common. This Supergroup is found throughout the UK’s conurbations and industrial regions but is also an integral part of smaller towns.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Brannen is most associated with areas classed as Settled Semi-Detached Asians, part of Suburban Asian Communities. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These residents share Supergroup characteristics of large (non-Chinese) Asian populations but those identifying as Bangladeshi are notably absent. Many residents were born in the UK, while other more recent migrants have African birthplaces. Semi-detached housing, much of it owner occupied, prevails in these suburban residential locations.

Wider London pattern

Many residents of these neighbourhoods are of (non-Chinese) Asian descent, with many identifying as Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi. Neighbourhoods are located across large areas of suburban west, north-east and south London. Detached, semi-detached and terraced houses are more prevalent than flats and socially rented housing is uncommon. Few residents live in communal establishments. Many families have dependent children, sometimes in overcrowded accommodation, and few households are ethnically mixed. Marriage rates are above the London average. The even age distribution, relative absence of individuals living alone and frequent incidence of households with children suggests that multi-generation households may be relatively common. Employment is often in skilled trades, elementary, sales and customer service occupations, and roles as process, plant, and machine operatives. Manufacturing and construction are well represented, along with employment in distribution, hotels, and restaurants. Many adults have only level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. English is not used at home by some residents. Religious affiliation is above average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Brannen is most concentrated in decile 7 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

7
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Brannen falls in decile 2 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

2
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Brannen is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of Over 70 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

10
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Brannen, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Brannen

The surname Brannen has its origins in Scotland and can be traced back to the late 16th century. It is believed to have derived from the Gaelic word "bran" meaning "raven" or "crow," suggesting a connection to a dark-haired or swarthy individual. The earliest recorded spelling of the name was Brannane, found in the parish records of Kilmarnock in Ayrshire, Scotland, in 1592.

One of the earliest documented references to the Brannen surname can be found in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, a record of Scottish landowners who swore allegiance to King Edward I of England. The name appears as Brannan, with various individuals from different parts of Scotland listed, indicating the widespread distribution of the surname across the country.

The Brannen family is believed to have played a role in the Scottish Wars of Independence, with some members fighting alongside William Wallace and Robert the Bruce against English rule. In the 15th century, a notable figure named John Brannen (1410-1478) was a prominent merchant and landowner in the city of Glasgow.

During the 17th century, the Brannens were well-established in the Scottish Lowlands, particularly in the counties of Ayrshire, Lanarkshire, and Renfrewshire. One notable individual from this period was James Brannen (1620-1699), a Presbyterian minister who was persecuted for his religious beliefs during the reign of King Charles II.

As the Brannen family spread across Scotland and beyond, the surname underwent various spelling variations, including Brannon, Brannin, and Brannan. In the 18th century, a prominent figure was Sir David Brannen (1735-1812), a Scottish merchant and philanthropist who made significant contributions to the city of Glasgow.

Other notable individuals with the Brannen surname include:

1. Thomas Brannen (1788-1859), a Scottish-born Australian explorer and settler who played a key role in the colonization of New South Wales. 2. John Brannen (1819-1892), a Scottish-born American politician who served as a member of the United States House of Representatives from Minnesota. 3. Margaret Brannen (1883-1972), a Scottish educator and suffragette who campaigned for women's rights and educational reform. 4. Robert Brannen (1904-1989), a Canadian politician and farmer who served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. 5. Michael Brannen (born 1953), an American artist and sculptor known for his large-scale public artworks.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Brannen families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Brannen surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Durham leads with 71 Brannens recorded in 1881 and an index of 6.97x.

County Total Index
Durham 71 6.97x
Lancashire 64 1.58x
Northumberland 42 8.24x
Yorkshire 24 0.71x
Cheshire 17 2.25x
Lanarkshire 16 1.44x
Renfrewshire 15 5.65x
Staffordshire 13 1.12x
Ayrshire 12 4.68x
Angus 10 3.15x
Nottinghamshire 10 2.17x
Cumberland 8 2.71x
Leicestershire 8 2.11x
Perthshire 7 4.56x
Worcestershire 7 1.57x
Hampshire 6 0.86x
Middlesex 5 0.15x
Midlothian 3 0.65x
Aberdeenshire 2 0.63x
Cambridgeshire 2 0.92x
Essex 2 0.30x
Derbyshire 1 0.19x
Devon 1 0.14x
Dorset 1 0.45x
Dunbartonshire 1 1.09x
Selkirkshire 1 3.23x
Shropshire 1 0.34x
Surrey 1 0.06x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. East Denton in Northumberland leads with 21 Brannens recorded in 1881 and an index of 1810.34x.

Place Total Index
East Denton 21 1810.34x
Hedworth Monkton Jarrow 14 31.73x
Ashton Under Lyne 13 14.64x
Elswick 12 29.51x
Hamilton 12 38.86x
Darlington 11 27.97x
Manchester 10 5.47x
Bishopwearmouth 9 10.29x
Coylton 9 247.25x
Newcastle Under Lyme 9 44.01x
Leicester St Margaret 8 8.64x
Liff Benvie 8 16.61x
Liverpool 8 3.24x
Abbey 7 17.29x
Kilmadock 7 198.30x
Kings Norton 7 17.46x
Prudhoe 7 197.74x
Royton 7 56.32x
Shincliffe 7 614.04x
Stapleford 7 186.67x
Aldershot 6 25.52x
Heworth 6 29.90x
Toxteth Park 6 4.36x
Whitehaven 6 38.19x
Barrow In Furness 5 9.05x
Bradford 5 6.09x
Chester St Mary On Hill 5 77.16x
Chester St Michael 5 561.80x
East Murton 5 261.78x
Gateshead 5 6.56x
York St George 5 187.27x
Ashton In Makerfield 4 34.57x
Byers Green 4 139.37x
Great Neston 4 160.00x
Hedleyhope 4 227.27x
Holy Trinity 4 4.90x
Stoke Upon Trent 4 3.26x
Westminster St John 4 9.59x
Barony 3 1.07x
Eaglesham 3 184.05x
Hetton Le Hole 3 23.24x
Ulverston 3 25.36x
Worksop 3 21.91x
Aberdeen St Nicholas 2 3.37x
Colinton 2 39.14x
Dundee 2 1.69x
East Greenock 2 7.98x
Galston 2 28.53x
Great Bolton 2 3.72x
Neilston 2 15.02x
Pilkington 2 12.96x
Preston Quarter 2 24.21x
Runcorn 2 11.47x
Sheffield 2 1.85x
St Andrewthe Less 2 8.07x
West Ham 2 1.34x
Wingate 2 28.65x
York St Margaret 2 95.24x
Birkenhead 1 1.66x
Bury 1 2.15x
Corfe Castle 1 48.08x
Drayton In Hales 1 16.39x
Dumbarton 1 7.81x
Framwellgate 1 16.58x
Galashiels 1 8.73x
Girvan 1 15.55x
Glasgow 1 0.51x
Longbenton 1 4.63x
Newcastle On Tyne All Sts 1 3.29x
Paull 1 156.25x
Preston 1 0.92x
Saddleworth 1 3.82x
Southwark St George Martyr 1 1.45x
St Marylebone London 1 0.55x
Staveley 1 10.50x
Tadcaster West 1 37.17x
West Calder 1 11.06x
Widnes 1 3.41x
Witheridge 1 83.33x
Woodmansey Cum Beverley 1 156.25x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Brannen surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Mary 27
Margaret 9
Ann 7
Bridget 7
Ellen 7
Sarah 7
Elizabeth 6
Jane 6
Catherine 5
Annie 4
Eliza 3
Rose 3
Alice 2
Emma 2
Frances 2
Kate 2
Susan 2
Amy 1
Anna 1
Betty 1
Delia 1
Eleanor 1
Eliz. 1
Emily 1
Grace 1
Hannah 1
Harriet 1
Helen 1
Janey 1
Julia 1
Margret 1
Margt. 1
Maria 1
Martha 1

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Brannen surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
John 40
James 16
Thomas 15
William 13
Michael 11
Patrick 10
Edward 7
Joseph 4
Charles 3
Peter 3
David 2
Geo. 2
George 2
Henry 2
Hugh 2
Jos. 2
Laurence 2
Martin 2
Micheal 2
Robert 2
Stephen 2
Albert 1
Alfred 1
Archibald 1
Arthur 1
Christopher 1
Daniel 1
Ernest 1
Harry 1
Herbert 1
Hubert 1
Jonathan 1
Philip 1
Reuben 1
Samuel 1
Thos. 1
Tom 1
Walter 1
Wm. 1
Wm.Hy. 1

FAQ

Brannen surname: questions and answers

How common was the Brannen surname in 1881?

In 1881, 352 people were recorded with the Brannen surname. That placed it at #8,718 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Brannen surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 399 in 2016. That gives Brannen a modern rank of #11,902.

What does the Brannen surname mean?

An Irish surname derived from the Gaelic "Ó Braonáin," meaning "descendant of Braonán," a personal name meaning "sorrow."

What does the Brannen map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Brannen bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.