UK surname
An anglicized derivative of the Scandinavian surname Brodersen, meaning son of a brother.
In the 1881 census there were 37 people recorded with the Brotherson surname, ranking it #28,418 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 77, ranked #33,236, down from #28,418 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Earlston, St George in the East and Calverley. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Brotherson is 136 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 108.1%.
1881 census count
37
Ranked #28,418
Modern count
77
2016, ranked #33,236
Peak year
1861
136 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Brotherson surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Brotherson surname density by area, 1861 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 59 | #22,756 |
| 1861 | historical | 136 | #16,556 |
| 1881 | historical | 37 | #28,418 |
| 1891 | historical | 69 | #28,188 |
| 1901 | historical | 54 | #28,178 |
| 1911 | historical | 26 | #30,547 |
| 1997 | modern | 74 | #30,218 |
| 1998 | modern | 72 | #30,775 |
| 1999 | modern | 75 | #30,661 |
| 2000 | modern | 78 | #30,361 |
| 2001 | modern | 69 | #31,098 |
| 2002 | modern | 65 | #31,903 |
| 2003 | modern | 70 | #31,486 |
| 2004 | modern | 71 | #31,578 |
| 2005 | modern | 78 | #31,058 |
| 2006 | modern | 75 | #31,733 |
| 2007 | modern | 78 | #31,748 |
| 2008 | modern | 81 | #31,713 |
| 2009 | modern | 77 | #32,553 |
| 2010 | modern | 82 | #32,492 |
| 2011 | modern | 78 | #32,819 |
| 2012 | modern | 72 | #33,502 |
| 2013 | modern | 72 | #33,631 |
| 2014 | modern | 75 | #33,473 |
| 2015 | modern | 75 | #33,425 |
| 2016 | modern | 77 | #33,236 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Earlston, St George in the East, Calverley, London parishes and Edinburgh. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Earlston | Berwick |
| 2 | St George in the East | London (East Districts) |
| 3 | Calverley | Yorkshire, West Riding |
| 4 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 5 | Edinburgh | Edinburgh |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Brotherson surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Brotherson, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Brotherson surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Brotherson household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Brotherson is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Brotherson is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Brotherson, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname "Brotherson" originated in England during the late medieval period. It is a patronymic name, derived from the phrase "brother's son," indicating that the original bearer was the son of someone's brother. The name first appeared in historical records around the 13th century, often spelled as "Brothersone" or "Brothersone."
One of the earliest recorded instances of this surname can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire, a census-like document compiled in 1273. The name "Willelmus Broθersone" is listed among the residents of the county. This Old English spelling highlights the name's origins as a descriptive term.
During the 14th century, the name spread across various regions of England, particularly in the counties of Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, and Nottinghamshire. In the Lay Subsidy Rolls of 1332, the name appears as "Johanne Bruthersone" in Yorkshire and "Robertus Brothersone" in Lincolnshire.
The Brotherson surname has a rich history, with several notable individuals bearing this name throughout the centuries. One of the earliest recorded was William Brotherson, a farmer from Nottinghamshire, who was mentioned in a land deed dated 1392.
In the 16th century, John Brotherson (c. 1510-1580) was a prominent merchant and alderman in the city of London. He served as the Master of the Worshipful Company of Mercers in 1558 and played a significant role in the city's trade and governance.
During the English Civil War, Captain Thomas Brotherson (1615-1678) fought for the Parliamentarian forces under Oliver Cromwell. He participated in several major battles, including the Battle of Naseby in 1645, and later served as a member of the Rump Parliament.
In the 18th century, the Brotherson name gained recognition through the works of the poet and playwright William Brotherson (1735-1804). He was born in Yorkshire and is best known for his satirical plays and verses that critiqued the social and political issues of his time.
Another notable figure was Sir James Brotherson (1820-1892), a prominent Scottish industrialist and philanthropist. He made his fortune in the textile industry and founded several charitable organizations, including the Brotherson Orphanage in Glasgow.
While these historical examples provide insight into the Brotherson surname's origins and significance, it is important to note that the name has evolved over time, with various spellings and regional variations emerging across different parts of the English-speaking world.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Brotherson surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. East Lothian leads with 7 Brothersons recorded in 1881 and an index of 146.44x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| East Lothian | 7 | 146.44x |
| Middlesex | 7 | 1.94x |
| Northumberland | 7 | 13.04x |
| Kent | 6 | 4.87x |
| Durham | 5 | 4.66x |
| Surrey | 2 | 1.14x |
| Berwickshire | 1 | 22.88x |
| Midlothian | 1 | 2.07x |
| Renfrewshire | 1 | 3.58x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Garvald in East Lothian leads with 7 Brothersons recorded in 1881 and an index of 7777.78x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Garvald | 7 | 7777.78x |
| East Chevington | 5 | 2777.78x |
| Fulham London | 5 | 95.60x |
| Westoe | 5 | 82.24x |
| St Lawrence | 3 | 352.94x |
| Islington London | 2 | 5.72x |
| Borthwick | 1 | 454.55x |
| Bunkle Preston | 1 | 1111.11x |
| Canterbury St Alphage | 1 | 769.23x |
| Carham | 1 | 714.29x |
| Gravesend | 1 | 96.15x |
| Kingston On Thames | 1 | 23.70x |
| Port Glasgow | 1 | 74.07x |
| Ramsgate | 1 | 49.75x |
| Richmond | 1 | 40.65x |
| Shoreston | 1 | 5000.00x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Brotherson surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Brotherson surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
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 Brotherson households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Coal Miner | 3 |
| No Occupation | 2 |
| Artificial Florist | 1 |
| Barman | 1 |
| Dressmaker | 1 |
| Householder | 1 |
| Housemaid | 1 |
| Journeyman Blk Smith | 1 |
| Ladies Maid | 1 |
| Letter Carrier | 1 |
| Master Mariner | 1 |
| Nurse | 1 |
| O S | 1 |
| Orthopaedic Instrument Maker | 1 |
| Retired ... | 1 |
| Scholar | 1 |
| Schoolmaster | 1 |
| Servt Domestc | 1 |
| Working In Shipyard | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 37 people were recorded with the Brotherson surname. That placed it at #28,418 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 77 in 2016. That gives Brotherson a modern rank of #33,236.
An anglicized derivative of the Scandinavian surname Brodersen, meaning son of a brother.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Brotherson bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.