Surname Braun - Meaning and Origin

Journey Through Time: Tracing the Germanic Roots of the Braun Surname Through iGENEA DNA Testing

The mysteries of my ancestry, specifically the origins of the surname Braun, have been unraveled through iGENEA DNA testing. The results, influenced by Germanic roots, provide insights about a history vast and deep, intertwined heavily with the evolution of the human genome.

S. Braun

Braun: What does the surname Braun mean?

The last name Braun originates from Germany, and was used as an occupational surname to indicate someone who was a professional dyer of fabrics. It is derived from the German word 'braun', meaning 'brown' - the color of the fabric that was being dyed. It is likely that the first bearer of the surname was a dyer of fabrics, hence why the name became associated with the occupation.

The spelling and pronunciation of the name Braun has evolved over time. In early German records, the name was written with a double n ('Braun') while in modern English, the spelling is often changed to a single n ('Brown').

Today, Braun is among the most common surnames in Germany and can refer to individuals with different European ethnic origins. Although the Braun name is most commonly associated with Germanic backgrounds, it can be seen among other European ethnic backgrounds with the spelling modified to Brown or other variations.

Most individuals with the Braun surname today often take pride in its historical significance, and use it as a unique identifier. It is a proud family name that offers a glimpse into an individual's German or European roots and is a reminder of family ancestry.

Braun: Where does the name Braun come from?

The last name Braun is most common today in Germany and Austria. It is also prevalent in certain Central and Eastern European countries, such as the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Poland, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Furthermore, it is also found in the United States, mainly in the states of Pennsylvania and New York, though it is more of an Anglo-Saxon version.

The origin of the name Braun is German and dates back to as early as the 16th century. It is derived from the Old High German word Potscheru, meaning “brown”. The meaning behind the name signified a brown-haired person, and was used as a description of their physical traits.

Today, the last name Braun is commonly associated with the patronymic surname, meaning that it is created from the father’s given name. Today, it is estimated that there are over 800,000 people who carry the last name Braun.

Variations of the surname Braun

The Braun surname is of Germanic origin, and is derived from the Old High German word “brunno”, which means brown or dark. Its variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin include:

Brawn, Braham, Brawney, Braund, Brauner, Brauney, Braungard, Braungart, Braunstein, Braunstien, Braunt, Brautigam, Bron, Bronn, Bronner, Brons, Bronshteyn, Bronson, Bronston, Brunt, Brun, Brundage, Bruner, Brunne, Brunnet, Brunon, Brunson, Brunte, Bruntz, Prunner, and Sprunger.

The locations where the Braun surname first appeared are in the Rhineland region of Germany. Early records of the Braun surname can be traced to the fortified town of Neustadt in 13th century. The family is closely associated with the royalty of the region, as well as prominent clergy members.

The Braun name is also found in large numbers throughout the world, in countries such as Austria, Switzerland, Italy, England, the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Brazil, Venezuela, South Africa, Israel, Sweden, and Argentina.

It is also fairly common in other countries where German immigrants settled. In more recent times, many bearers of the Braun name have had their surname changed to Brown, due to the growing anti-German sentiment prevalent after World War I.

Famous people with the name Braun

• Justin Bieber: Canadian singer-songwriter and actor.
• Christina Braun: German diver.
• David Braun: American journalist.
• Braun Strowman: American professional wrestler currently signed to World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).
• Tom Braun: American actor and former model.
• Luke Braun: Canadian ice hockey player.
• Stefano Braun: Venezuelan actor, director, and producer.
• Willi Braun: German entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist.
• Russell Braun: Canadian operatic baritone.
• Johann Heinrich Braun: German landscape artist and theorist.
• Karl Braun: German electrical engineer and inventor, winner of the 1909 Nobel Prize in Physics.
• Breanna Braun: American singer-songwriter and subject of the 2010 documentary film Cola-Cola’s Kid.
• Edward Braun: British illustrator, graphic designer, bestselling author and sculptor.
• Marianne Braun: Austrian women's rights activist.
• Mathias Braun: Czech-German sculptor.
• Nevin Braun: American ultra-marathon runner.
• Wilmer Braun: Venezuelan former professional baseball player.
• Annegret Braun: Austrian sculptor and installation artist.
• David Braun, Jr.: American former professional basketball player.
• Mervyn Braun: Vice Governor of the South African Reserve Bank.

Other surnames

BrauckBrauckhofBrauckhoffBrauckmanBrauckmannBrauckmeyerBrauckmüllerBraucksBraudaBraudeBräudigamBraudoBraudwellBrauerBräuerBrauersBraukBraukämperBraukemperBraukhofBraukhoffBraukmannBraukmeierBraukmüllerBraumillerBraumöllerBraumuellerBraumüllerBraunchBraunche