NameCensus.

UK surname

Brean

An English locational surname derived from a place called Brean in Somerset, England.

In the 1881 census there were 122 people recorded with the Brean surname, ranking it #17,602 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 100, ranked #31,123, down from #17,602 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Bedminster and Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Caerphilly, North Somerset and Torfaen.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Brean is 257 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 18.0%.

1881 census count

122

Ranked #17,602

Modern count

100

2016, ranked #31,123

Peak year

1861

257 bearers

Map years

6

1861 to 2016

Key insights

  • Brean had 122 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #17,602 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 100 in 2016, ranked #31,123.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 257 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established but Challenged.

Brean surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Brean surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Brean 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 79 #19,712
1861 historical 257 #9,629
1881 historical 122 #17,602
1891 historical 159 #17,636
1901 historical 116 #20,933
1911 historical 132 #19,313
1997 modern 88 #28,611
1998 modern 94 #28,435
1999 modern 93 #28,711
2000 modern 95 #28,441
2001 modern 89 #28,932
2002 modern 85 #29,867
2003 modern 86 #29,752
2004 modern 88 #29,758
2005 modern 95 #28,817
2006 modern 93 #29,411
2007 modern 99 #28,852
2008 modern 98 #29,355
2009 modern 105 #28,815
2010 modern 113 #28,162
2011 modern 113 #27,967
2012 modern 103 #29,733
2013 modern 101 #30,591
2014 modern 99 #31,186
2015 modern 98 #31,342
2016 modern 100 #31,123

Geography

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Where Breans are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Bedminster, Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Mynyddyslwyn and Dundry, Winford, Nempnett Thrubwell, Blagdon, Butcombe. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Caerphilly, North Somerset, Torfaen and Blaenau Gwent. 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 Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos) Glamorganshire
2 Bedminster Somerset
3 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
4 Mynyddyslwyn Monmouthshire
5 Dundry, Winford, Nempnett Thrubwell, Blagdon, Butcombe Somerset

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Caerphilly 011 Caerphilly
2 North Somerset 013 North Somerset
3 North Somerset 024 North Somerset
4 Torfaen 011 Torfaen
5 Blaenau Gwent 007 Blaenau Gwent

Forenames

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First names often paired with Brean

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Brean

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Brean, 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

Established but Challenged

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

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many households in these neighbourhoods comprise separated or divorced single parents with dependent children. Residents are typically born in the UK, and these neighbourhoods have relatively few members of ethnic minorities. The prevalence of children, their parents and those at or above normal retirement age, suggests neighbourhood structures may be long-established. Levels of unpaid care are high, and long-term disability is more common than in the Supergroup as a whole. Use of the social rented sector is common, often in terraced houses. Levels of overcrowding are above the Supergroup average. Unemployment is high, while those in work are employed in elementary occupations such as caring, leisure and customer services. Many residents have low level qualifications. Neighbourhood concentrations of this Group are found in the South Wales Valleys, Belfast, Londonderry and the Central Lowlands of Scotland.

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Brean is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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 scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Brean is most concentrated in decile 3 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy end of the index.

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

3
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Brean falls in decile 4 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

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

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Brean is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 25-30 mbit/s.

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

5
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Brean

The surname BREAN has its origins in the Devon region of England, dating back to the 11th century. It is believed to be derived from the Old English word "bryn," meaning a hill or slope, suggesting that the earliest bearers of this name lived near a prominent hilltop location.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the BREAN surname can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it is listed as "Breme" and refers to a settlement in Somerset. This indicates that the name was already in use during the Norman Conquest and the subsequent compilation of this important historical record.

During the Middle Ages, variations of the BREAN surname emerged, such as Breyn, Breyne, and Breine, reflecting the evolution of language and regional dialects. These alternative spellings were often used interchangeably in ancient documents and manuscripts.

In the 13th century, a notable figure named William BREAN (c. 1220-1285) was recorded as a landowner in the village of Brean, Somerset. This geographical location likely played a significant role in the establishment of the BREAN surname within the local community.

Another prominent individual bearing the BREAN surname was Sir John BREAN (1480-1537), a wealthy merchant and politician who served as Lord Mayor of London in 1522. His influence and success in commerce and governance contributed to the recognition of the BREAN name during the Tudor period.

In the realm of literature, the poet and playwright John BREAN (1625-1690) gained recognition for his works, including the play "The Ambitious Statesman" and several collections of poetry. His literary contributions helped to further disseminate the BREAN surname across Britain.

During the 17th century, the BREAN family established roots in the North American colonies, with Robert BREAN (1635-1701) being among the earliest settlers to arrive in Massachusetts from England. He and his descendants played a role in the development of the New England region.

Another notable figure was Sir Edward BREAN (1720-1795), a prominent military officer who served in the British Army during the American Revolutionary War. His service and exploits during this period added to the historical significance of the BREAN surname.

Throughout the centuries, the BREAN surname has been associated with various occupations, from landowners and merchants to writers and military personnel. While its origins can be traced back to the hills and slopes of Devon, this name has left an indelible mark on the history of England and beyond.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Brean families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Brean 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. Somerset leads with 55 Breans recorded in 1881 and an index of 28.72x.

County Total Index
Somerset 55 28.72x
Glamorgan 16 7.72x
Middlesex 16 1.34x
Gloucestershire 13 5.57x
Devon 4 1.61x
Lancashire 4 0.28x
Yorkshire 4 0.34x
Cheshire 2 0.76x
Kent 2 0.49x
Cornwall 1 0.74x
Durham 1 0.28x
Kirkcudbrightshire 1 5.81x
Leicestershire 1 0.76x
Surrey 1 0.17x
Sussex 1 0.50x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bedminster in Somerset leads with 19 Breans recorded in 1881 and an index of 105.56x.

Place Total Index
Bedminster 19 105.56x
Wrington 10 1562.50x
Winford 9 2307.69x
Llanwonno 8 107.53x
Merthyr Tydfil 8 40.18x
Backwell 7 1794.87x
Brislington 6 1666.67x
Bristol St Paul In 6 96.46x
St Pancras London 6 6.26x
Bristol St Michael 4 200.00x
Brixham 4 139.37x
Ratcliffe London 4 60.88x
Leeds 3 4.51x
Kensington London 2 3.02x
Rishton 2 120.48x
St George Hanover Square 2 9.54x
Bitton Oldland 1 41.84x
Brighton 1 2.47x
Bristol St Mary Redcliff 1 46.95x
Burrington 1 555.56x
Clifton 1 8.47x
Cossington 1 625.00x
Deptford St Paul 1 3.19x
Dinder 1 1250.00x
Halifax 1 5.78x
Kirkmabreck 1 133.33x
Liverpool 1 1.17x
Lyncombe Widcombe 1 19.96x
Oldham 1 2.19x
Perranzabuloe 1 86.21x
Ramsgate 1 15.08x
Runcorn 1 16.50x
Southwark St Olave 1 109.89x
Southwick 1 29.85x
St Clement Danes London 1 40.65x
St George In East London 1 8.94x
Tranmere 1 10.36x
Wells St Cuthbert Out 1 64.94x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 12
Elizabeth 6
Ann 3
Sarah 3
Alice 2
Eliza 2
Ellen 2
Esther 2
Jane 2
Kate 2
Maria 2
A. 1
Amelia 1
Amy 1
Annie 1
Bertha 1
Caroline 1
Catherine 1
Clementina 1
Edith 1
Emily 1
Fanny 1
Florence 1
Flory 1
Harriet 1
Laura 1
Levinia 1
Marian 1
Martha 1
Rose 1
Rosina 1
Sophia 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 11
Thomas 6
George 5
John 5
Charles 3
Edward 3
James 3
Edwin 2
Geo.W. 2
Owen 2
Albert 1
Alfred 1
Chas.H. 1
Fred.J. 1
Frederick 1
Harry 1
Jeremh 1
Michl. 1
P. 1
Paul 1
Robert 1
Samuel 1
Sidney 1
Stephen 1
T. 1
Thos. 1
Thos.J. 1
Walter 1
Wm.Richard 1

FAQ

Brean surname: questions and answers

How common was the Brean surname in 1881?

In 1881, 122 people were recorded with the Brean surname. That placed it at #17,602 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Brean surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 100 in 2016. That gives Brean a modern rank of #31,123.

What does the Brean surname mean?

An English locational surname derived from a place called Brean in Somerset, England.

What does the Brean map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Brean 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.