Surname Brashear - Meaning and Origin
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Brashear: What does the surname Brashear mean?
The last name Brashear is considered to be of French origin, derived from the old French words "bras" meaning arm and "cher" meaning dear or beloved. It first emerged in medieval times in the Normandy region of France and is often thought to have been used as a nickname for a person who was strong-armed or well-armed. However, it is equally possible that it developed as a medieval job description for an armorer or a weapons master. It's also noteworthy that the name Brashear was often anglicized to Brashier or Brasier among others after French immigrants, bearing this surname, settled in English-speaking countries. Some of the first records of the name in the United States date back to the late 17th and early 18th centuries. Today, it is carried by several notable individuals, including athletes and artists. In conclusion, Brashear is a significant historical surname with roots in strength and combat, symbolizing an individual who is strong, tough, and/or beloved.
Order DNA origin analysisBrashear: Where does the name Brashear come from?
The surname Brashear has French origins. It is derived from the French surname Brasseur, which means "brewer." The name was typically given to individuals who were brewers by trade. This occupational surname was first found in Normandie, where the family held a family seat. The surname then traveled to England following the Norman invasion of the 11th century, and later, found its way to America. The variations of the name Brashear include Brasier, Brasher, Brasseur, Brasure, and several others.
Today, the surname is most commonly found in the United States, particularly in the southern states like Kentucky, Louisiana, and Texas. These regions saw a significant influx of French settlers during the 18th and 19th centuries. As such, the name Brashear is relatively rare in its country of origin, France, owing to francization and cultural assimilation over the centuries. It is more predominantly seen in countries with larger populations of descendants of French immigrants such as the United States and Canada. However, it's important to note that distribution of surnames can change over time due to migration patterns and cultural shifts.
Variations of the surname Brashear
The surname Brashear is of French origin and is derived from the place name Brasseur, which means 'brewer' in French. There have been several variations in the spelling of this surname due to phonetic spelling and cultural adaptions over generations. Some of these variants of the Brashear surname include: Brasher, Brashier, Brasseur, Brassieur, Brachier, Braisher and Brassier.
In terms of surnames of the same origin, there are many French surnames derived from occupations like Brasseur. Examples of such surnames include Boulanger (baker), Charpentier (carpenter), and Ferrier (blacksmith) etc. But it is important to note that these names are not variants of Brashear; they just share an occupational etymology.
Surnames which are of the same linguistic origin (French) and share similar sound or spelling might include names like Brasier or Brassard although these are not directly related to Brashear. In some cases, Brashear may also be Anglicized with surnames like Brewer reflecting the occupational roots of the name.
Famous people with the name Brashear
- Carl Brashear: Was the first African American and first amputee to become a U.S. Navy Master Diver. His life story was dramatized in the 2000 movie "Men of Honor".
- Don Brashear: A former professional ice hockey left winger who played for five teams in the National Hockey League. He was one of the most notable "enforcers" in the league.
- Bob Brashear: A professional American football player who spent six seasons in the National Football League.
- Da'Mon Cromartie-Smith: Also known as Da'Mon Brashear, is an American professional football safety who played in the National Football League.
- Louis Brashear: Renowned Scottish bagpiper known for his military and folk music.
- Philip Brashear: An Army Reserve helicopter pilot and son of Carl Brashear, also notable for his service.
- Eugene Brashear: A celebrated physicist who was known for his studies in plasma physics, particularly in controlled nuclear fusion.
- Adrienne Brashear: A popular hairstylist and makeup artist known for her work on celebrities and film sets.
- Chuck Brashear: an American country music singer and songwriter, known for his hits in the 1960's.
- John Brashear: An astronomist and telescope maker. He was Treasurer of the Academy of Science and Art in Pittsburgh.