UK surname
Of French origin, meaning someone with brown hair or complexion.
In the 1881 census there were 25 people recorded with the Brunett surname, ranking it #30,077 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1, ranked #39,061, down from #30,077 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to St Alkmund, Glossop and Gateshead. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Brunett is 168 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 96.0%.
1881 census count
25
Ranked #30,077
Modern count
1
2016, ranked #39,061
Peak year
1861
168 bearers
Map years
2
1861 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Brunett surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Brunett surname density by area, 1891 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 | 62 | #22,232 |
| 1861 | historical | 168 | #13,895 |
| 1881 | historical | 25 | #30,077 |
| 1891 | historical | 112 | #22,291 |
| 1901 | historical | 34 | #30,281 |
| 1911 | historical | 16 | #31,804 |
| 1997 | modern | 4 | #38,094 |
| 1998 | modern | 3 | #38,304 |
| 1999 | modern | 3 | #38,318 |
| 2000 | modern | 3 | #38,248 |
| 2001 | modern | 2 | #38,335 |
| 2002 | modern | 2 | #38,400 |
| 2003 | modern | 2 | #38,424 |
| 2004 | modern | 1 | #38,771 |
| 2005 | modern | 1 | #38,814 |
| 2006 | modern | 1 | #38,879 |
| 2007 | modern | 1 | #38,907 |
| 2008 | modern | 4 | #38,216 |
| 2009 | modern | 3 | #38,494 |
| 2010 | modern | 2 | #38,775 |
| 2011 | modern | 1 | #39,015 |
| 2012 | modern | 1 | #38,986 |
| 2013 | modern | 1 | #39,008 |
| 2014 | modern | 1 | #39,020 |
| 2015 | modern | 1 | #39,021 |
| 2016 | modern | 1 | #39,061 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around St Alkmund, Glossop, Gateshead, St James Clerkenwell and St Pancras. 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 | St Alkmund | Derbyshire |
| 2 | Glossop | Derbyshire |
| 3 | Gateshead | Durham |
| 4 | St James Clerkenwell | London (Central Districts) |
| 5 | St Pancras | London (North Districts) |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Brunett 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 Brunett, 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 Brunett surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Brunett 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, Brunett 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 Brunett is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Brunett, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname BRUNETT is of French origin, traced back to the late medieval period in the regions of Normandy and Brittany. It is derived from the Old French word "brunet," meaning "dark-haired" or "brown-haired." This descriptor likely originated as a nickname for individuals with brown or dark hair, which later became a hereditary surname.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name BRUNETT can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of land and property commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The name appears in various spellings, such as "Brunett," "Brunet," and "Brunette," suggesting its widespread use across different regions of Norman-controlled England.
In the 13th century, a notable figure bearing the BRUNETT surname was Raoul Brunett, a French monk and chronicler who authored a valuable historical account of the Albigensian Crusade against the Cathars in southern France. His work, written between 1212 and 1218, provides insights into the religious conflicts and political turmoil of that era.
During the 14th century, the BRUNETT name gained prominence in the region of Normandy, where several families bore this surname. One such family was associated with the village of Bruneville, which may have influenced the spelling variation "Bruneville" or "Brunville" in some branches of the BRUNETT lineage.
In the 16th century, a prominent figure named Jean Brunett (1492-1570) emerged as a renowned French architect and engineer. He was responsible for the design and construction of several notable buildings, including the Château de Chenonceau and portions of the Château de Chambord, both located in the Loire Valley.
Another notable individual with the BRUNETT surname was Marie-Anne Brunett (1732-1805), a French painter and portraitist who gained recognition for her artistic talents during the Rococo and Neoclassical periods. Her works were highly sought after by the French aristocracy and are now displayed in prestigious museums across Europe.
As the BRUNETT name spread throughout Europe, it also found its way to other regions, including England and the British Isles. One notable figure was Sir Edward Brunett (1753-1832), a British naval officer who served with distinction during the Napoleonic Wars and was later knighted for his contributions to the Royal Navy.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Brunett 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. Middlesex leads with 13 Brunetts recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.13x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 13 | 5.13x |
| Lancashire | 5 | 1.66x |
| Devon | 2 | 3.79x |
| Buckinghamshire | 1 | 6.52x |
| Carmarthenshire | 1 | 9.35x |
| Channel Islands | 1 | 13.32x |
| Hampshire | 1 | 1.92x |
| Kent | 1 | 1.16x |
| Warwickshire | 1 | 1.56x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Clerkenwell London in Middlesex leads with 10 Brunetts recorded in 1881 and an index of 166.94x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Clerkenwell London | 10 | 166.94x |
| Gorton | 3 | 106.01x |
| North Meols | 2 | 67.80x |
| Carmarthen St Peter | 1 | 109.89x |
| Cliffe | 1 | 500.00x |
| Edgbaston | 1 | 50.51x |
| Eling | 1 | 188.68x |
| Exeter Bedford Circus | 1 | 10000.00x |
| Fulham London | 1 | 27.17x |
| Great Torrington | 1 | 333.33x |
| Kensington London | 1 | 7.09x |
| Paddington London | 1 | 10.73x |
| Shenley Church End | 1 | 5000.00x |
| St Helier | 1 | 40.82x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Brunett 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 Brunett 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 Brunett households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 5 |
| Carman | 2 |
| Cab Proprietor | 1 |
| Charwoman | 1 |
| Cook (Domestic Serv) | 1 |
| Cook Domestic Servt | 1 |
| Drapers Apprentice | 1 |
| Groom Dom Serv | 1 |
| Housemaid Domestic Servt | 1 |
| Ironmongers Clerk | 1 |
| Mechanic | 1 |
| Nurse | 1 |
| Nurse Monthly | 1 |
| Portmanteau Maker | 1 |
| Pupil In The Institution | 1 |
| School Mistress | 1 |
| Servant | 1 |
| Stonemason | 1 |
| Working Jeweller | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 25 people were recorded with the Brunett surname. That placed it at #30,077 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 1 in 2016. That gives Brunett a modern rank of #39,061.
Of French origin, meaning someone with brown hair or complexion.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Brunett 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.