Brown

Descriptive

Meaning

Brown-haired or dark-skinned person

Etymology

From the Middle English brun or Old English brun, used as a nickname for someone with brown hair, a dark complexion, or who habitually wore brown clothing.

About the Brown Surname

Brown is a descriptive surname that originated as a nickname. Its widespread use reflects how commonly people were identified by their physical characteristics in the medieval period.

Distribution & Frequency

Estimated 1,437,026 bearers in the United States #46 most common surname
Rare Common

Fourth most common surname in the United States. Common throughout the English-speaking world.

Brown Surname Distribution

Geographic distribution based on Civil War military records.

Fewer
More

Notable Bearers

John Brown (abolitionist) James Brown Charlie Brown

People with the Brown Surname

Albert Brown

Hon.

Ashmun Brown

Ashmun N. Brown

B.W. Brown

Bester G. Brown

Honorable

Carey H. Brown

Major

Carl Brown

Carroll Brown

Chapin Brown

Charles Brown

David A. Brown

David Brown

Dorothy Brown

Dorthy Brown

E.e. Brown

HONORABLE

E.N. Brown

Edward F. Brown

Edwin Brown

J.

Ernest Brown

Ethel Brown

F.C. Brown

Dr.

F.M. Brown

Fay C. Brown

DOCTOR

Frank Brown

Fred Brown

United States Senator

Fred H. Brown

United States Senator

Fred R. Brown

Colonel

George Brown

H. Brown

H.H. Brown

Herbert Brown

Horace Brown

Doctor

Izetta Jewel Brown

J. Stanley Brown

J.W. Brown

James H. Brown

Joe Brown

Honorable

John A. Brown

John Brown

Representative

John R. Brown

Hon.

John Young Brown

Hon.

Joseph Brown

Governor of Georgia, 1912-1913

Katherine Brown

Lytle Brown

GENERAL

La Rae Brown

Lathrop Brown

Honorable

Marjorie Brown

Mintaugh Brown

Nellie Brown

Norris Brown

Senator

Olympia Brown

P.M Brown

Peggie Brown

Peggy Brown

Philip Brown

Prentiss Brown

Senator

Prentiss M. Brown

Senator

R.A. Brown

General

R.C. Brown

R.J. Brown

R.M. Brown

Comm.

Rosalee Brown

Thad Brown

Thornton Brown

Tom Brown

Tomm Brown

Virginia Brown

W. Brown

Postmaster General

W.L. Brown

Hon.

Ward Brown

MRS.

William C. Brown

GENERAL

Walt Brown

Walter Brown

Postmaster General

Walter F. Brown

Walter W. Brown

Wayne M. Brown

Midshipman

William Brown

Hon.

William E. Brown

William G. Brown

Honorable

Wilson Brown

Captain

Wrisley Brown

Attorney

Benjamin Brown

1810–1880 Hon. Pennsylvania

B.G. Brown

1820–1875 Hon. Kentucky

Mary Brown

1870–1945 Nurse Charleston, South Carolina