Brown Surname: Origin and Coat of Arms
What does Brown mean, and where does it come from? Here is a brief introduction.
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Origin of the Brown name
Brown began as a nickname for someone with brown hair, a dark complexion or brown clothing, from the Old English brūn. It appears in English and Scottish records from the 1100s and is found in every region of Britain. It is the fourth most common surname in the United States, where German Brauns and Irish Brúns sometimes took the English form.
Our historical archives hold much more on the Brown name: dates, names and records of early bearers.
This overview covers the Brown name in England & Scotland. We also hold records of the name in other countries, such as the United States, Canada and Australia; your full pack is researched for your family's country of origin.
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Brown name FAQ
What does the Brown name mean?
Brown-haired or dark-complexioned. Common variants include Browne, Broun, Braun.
Where does the Brown surname come from?
It originates in England & Scotland, and is also found in the United States, Canada and Australia.
Is there a Brown coat of arms?
Arms were granted to individuals, not whole surnames, so there is no single Brown crest. Herald Lab paints a personalized Brown coat of arms based on historic heraldry.
Researched by Herald Lab Research Studio, since 1993. Sources: Reaney & Wilson, Dictionary of English Surnames; US Census Bureau 2010; Dictionary of American Family Names (Oxford).