Surname Braith - Meaning and Origin

Braith: What does the surname Braith mean?

The last name Braith is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is believed to derive from the Olde English pre 7th century word "breath", which was originally given as a nickname or a byname to someone of significant spiritual power, as well as to one who could bring forth breath of life or spiritual power.

In the Middle and Modern English period, the name was taken to mean one of spiritual influence, a person of great vigour, or a significant individual leader. The earliest recorded examples of the name Braith are found in east and north-east counties of England, particularly in Yorkshire, where the name is thought to have originated.

The Braith surname would then have been brought to the British Isles by Anglo-Saxon settlers during the Middle Ages, with the earliest recorded version of the name in England being recorded in the parish registers of Walsall in Shropshire in 1663.

The Braith family was involved in a large number of crafts and trades, and it was common for a family to take its surname from the surname of their father, grandfather, uncle or other ancestor. The Braith surname is still common in the British Isles today.

The surname is also common in other countries around the world such as the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. It is also found in various parts of Europe, particularly in Scandinavia.

Braith: Where does the name Braith come from?

The surname Braith is most commonly found today in countries with Anglo-Saxon heritage. Predominantly, this surname can be found in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, the United States, and Australia.

In the United Kingdom and Ireland, the surname is most prevalent in England, but can also be found in Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. It is found most often in urban and suburban areas.

In Canada, the surname Braith can be found in many provinces, but Newfoundland has the highest concentration. It is especially prominent in the St. John's Metropolitan Area.

In the United States, the surname Braith is predominant in California, Texas, Florida, and New York. It appears more commonly in states with large metal and technology industries, as this surname is believed to have been derived from the Old English word “bræth”, which means “coal fire”.

In Australia, the surname can be found in all states and territories, except the Northern Territory. The state of Victoria has the largest concentration.

Overall, the surname Braith is not especially rare, but doesn’t appear as frequently as other surnames.

Variations of the surname Braith

The surname Braith is an occupational name, derived from an Old English word meaning ‘to roast'. This surname is usually found in England and Scotland where it's spelled ‘Brayth’ and ‘Braeith’.

The surname Braith is a variation of the more commonly seen British variants, Braid, Brath, Breethe, Breth, Bread, and Breed. These variations of the Braith surname originated in different parts of the United Kingdom.

The Braid surname is most commonly found in the Borders region of Scotland and is thought to have possibly originated there. The Brath surname is seen in Northern England, while Breethe is a variant found in South Wales. The Breth surname is from Devon and Cornwall. The Bread surname originated in North Wales and the Breed variant is thought to have come from the Midlands of England.

In North America, the spelling of the surname Braith has changed slightly from its British counterparts and the variations include, Brayth, Braeeth, Braithe, Braithwaite.

Variations of the Braith surname can also be spelt differently in other surname forms like, Brethauer, Braethalis, Braithal, Breithwohl, Breithaupt and Brathal.

The Braith surname is also used as a given name, and the main variants of that are Braythe and Braith. These are often seen in English-speaking countries such as Australia, the United States, Canada and New Zealand.

Famous people with the name Braith

• Mark Braithwaite: English cricketer
• Warlock Braith: Australian actor
• Sir Kevin Braithwaite: first black British life peer
• Anne Braithwaite: English artist
• Caroline Braithwaite: Irish actress
• Duncan Braithwaite: Australian actor
• Anne Braithwaite: English television presenter
• Chris Braithwaite: English DJ
• Bevin Braithwaite: Canadian rower
• Michala Braithwaite: Australian singer
• Amber Braithwaite: English television presenter

Other surnames

Brait