NameCensus.

UK surname

Brosnan

An Anglicized form of the Irish surname Ó Brosnachain, derived from a diminutive of the Irish word brosna, meaning "bundle of firewood."

In the 1881 census there were 14 people recorded with the Brosnan surname, ranking it #31,604 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 838, ranked #6,658, up from #31,604 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Northumberland, Caerphilly and Hounslow.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Brosnan is 865 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 5885.7%.

1881 census count

14

Ranked #31,604

Modern count

838

2016, ranked #6,658

Peak year

2010

865 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Brosnan had 14 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #31,604 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 838 in 2016, ranked #6,658.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 75 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Brosnan surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Brosnan surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Brosnan 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 18 #30,094
1861 historical 29 #30,287
1881 historical 14 #31,604
1891 historical 33 #31,681
1901 historical 68 #26,598
1911 historical 75 #25,322
1997 modern 808 #6,491
1998 modern 822 #6,617
1999 modern 851 #6,479
2000 modern 826 #6,608
2001 modern 810 #6,585
2002 modern 850 #6,458
2003 modern 826 #6,476
2004 modern 801 #6,664
2005 modern 816 #6,508
2006 modern 825 #6,463
2007 modern 836 #6,460
2008 modern 844 #6,468
2009 modern 858 #6,527
2010 modern 865 #6,603
2011 modern 850 #6,617
2012 modern 828 #6,662
2013 modern 838 #6,706
2014 modern 827 #6,797
2015 modern 819 #6,799
2016 modern 838 #6,658

Geography

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Where Brosnans are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Northumberland, Caerphilly, Hounslow and Islington. 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 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Northumberland 022 Northumberland
2 Northumberland 025 Northumberland
3 Caerphilly 006 Caerphilly
4 Hounslow 014 Hounslow
5 Islington 008 Islington

Forenames

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First names often paired with Brosnan

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Brosnan

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

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Brosnan surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Brosnan household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Brosnan 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

Brosnan is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Brosnan falls in decile 5 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.

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Brosnan is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

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

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Irish

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

Meaning and origin of Brosnan

The surname Brosnan originates from Ireland, specifically in the counties of Kerry and Cork. It is derived from the Irish Gaelic "O'Brosnachain" which means "descendant of Brosnacha." The name Brosnacha itself is a derivative of the word "brosna," meaning "a fierce or ill-tempered person."

The earliest recorded mention of the Brosnan surname can be found in the Irish Annals, which date back to the 12th century. In these annals, the name is spelled various ways, including O'Brosnachain, O'Brosnan, and Brosnan.

One notable historical reference of the Brosnan name is in the Annals of the Four Masters, a chronicle of medieval Irish history. In this text, a Brosnan is mentioned as a participant in the Battle of Callan in 1261.

The first recorded instance of the Anglicized spelling "Brosnan" appears in the Fiants of the Tudor Sovereigns during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I in the late 16th century. This suggests that the Brosnan family was among the early adopters of the English language and spelling conventions.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals with the surname Brosnan. One of the earliest was Donal Brosnan, a 17th-century Irish poet and musician from County Kerry. Another was John Brosnan, a prominent 18th-century Irish lawyer and politician who served as a member of the Irish Parliament.

In the 19th century, Michael Brosnan was a renowned Irish journalist and editor who founded the Cork Examiner newspaper in 1841. William Brosnan, born in 1832, was an Irish-American politician who served as a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly.

More recently, the most famous Brosnan is undoubtedly Pierce Brosnan, the Irish actor best known for his portrayal of James Bond in four films from 1995 to 2002. Born in 1953, Brosnan has had a successful career in both film and television.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Brosnan families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Brosnan 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. Surrey leads with 5 Brosnans recorded in 1881 and an index of 7.52x.

County Total Index
Surrey 5 7.52x
Staffordshire 4 8.69x
Kent 3 6.44x
Glamorgan 1 4.21x
Middlesex 1 0.73x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Battersea in Surrey leads with 5 Brosnans recorded in 1881 and an index of 99.60x.

Place Total Index
Battersea 5 99.60x
Whittington 4 4444.44x
Deptford St Nicholas 3 810.81x
St George Hanover Square 1 41.67x
Swansea Town 1 51.28x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 3
Bridget 1
Catherine 1
Helena 1
Margaret 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Thomas 2
Timothy 2
Charles 1
Jeremiah 1
John 1

Top occupations

Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Brosnan households.

FAQ

Brosnan surname: questions and answers

How common was the Brosnan surname in 1881?

In 1881, 14 people were recorded with the Brosnan surname. That placed it at #31,604 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Brosnan surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 838 in 2016. That gives Brosnan a modern rank of #6,658.

What does the Brosnan surname mean?

An Anglicized form of the Irish surname Ó Brosnachain, derived from a diminutive of the Irish word brosna, meaning "bundle of firewood."

What does the Brosnan map show?

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