Surname Brimelow - Meaning and Origin
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Brimelow: What does the surname Brimelow mean?
The last name Brimelow is an English name originating from the North West of England, primarily in Lancashire and Cheshire. It is derived from the Old English words ‘brim’ meaning ‘ridge’ or ‘edge’ and ‘halh’ meaning a ‘nook’ or ‘corner’. Therefore, Brimelow is a topographic name used to describe someone who lived by a ridge or an edge in a corner of land.
In the late 14th century, families bearing the Brimelow surname can be found in records from various parts of the country. In Nottinghamshire, there was a John Brimelow (or Bramell) mentioned in the Subsidy Rolls of 1332, and in the following century there is a record of a William Brummwell in Lancashire in 1424.
As surnames developed and spread across Europe, the modern spelling of Brimelow emerged and is now primarily found within the British Isles. The Brimelows are considered a distinguished family, having had many members serve in parliament and go on to become knights of the realm.
Members of the Brimelow family can now be found throughout the British Isles and further afield, and the surname is still linked to many significant places including villages and parishes bearing the name. In recent times the Brimelow name has become a popular choice for fictional characters, solidifying its place in the history books.
Order DNA origin analysisBrimelow: Where does the name Brimelow come from?
The last name Brimelow is most commonly found in the United Kingdom, particularly in the north-west counties of Lancashire and Cheshire. It is also present in Ireland.
In the 1881 census of the UK, Brimelow was reported to be the 118th most frequent surname in Lancashire. Over 1,800 inhabitants of the county were recorded to have the surname that year. The same census identified Brimelow as the 191st most common surname in Cheshire, where around 550 people were registered under the name.In modern times, Brimelow is still one of the most common surnames in Lancashire and Cheshire, although not as prolific as in 1881.
The last name has become less specifically associated with the north-west of England, as it has spread to other areas in Britain, such as Yorkshire, the Midlands and the South East. It is also popular in the United States,Ireland,Australia and Canada. Records show Brimelow to be the 5,698th most popular name in the US back in 2009.
In short, the last name Brimelow was most probably derived from the area of Lancashire and Cheshire in the UK, but is now prevalent in other countries around the world, including the United States, Ireland, Australia and Canada.
Variations of the surname Brimelow
The surname Brimelow is most commonly spelt as it is written. However, there are many variant spellings and surnames of the same origin.
Variant spellings include Brimmelow, Bramelow, Brimmeloe, Broomlow, Brumlow, Brimblelow, Brumblelow, Bremelow, and Brumelow. These are all spelling variations of the same surname, which was originally derived from the Olde English word 'brim' meaning a steep edge or ridge.
The surnames of similar origin include Bramwell, Bromley, Bremner, Bramhall, Braemar, Brummel, Bromfield, Bromall, and Bromalow. These are all found in different regions of the British Isles and may have derived from the same source as Brimelow.
Variant surnames are also found in other languages and countries. Brumailloux is a French variant, as is Brimaille and Brumoille. There is even a Polish variant, Brymel.
In modern times, the surname Brimelow is most notably associated with Sir Cyril Brimelow, a British engineer in World War II.
Famous people with the name Brimelow
- Peter Brimelow: a British writer, journalist and political activist.
- Lindsay Brimelow: a British businesswoman and author.
- Ben Brimelow: an English football player.
- Tim Brimelow: an English mountaineer, climber, arctic explorer, directer and author.
- Mark Brimelow: an English businessperson who has served as a managing director of a news media business.
- Vivienne Brimelow: a British actress, singer and dancer.
- Paul Brimelow: an English graphic designer and digital artist.
- Sean Brimelow: an American audio engineer and record producer.
- David Brimelow: an English footballer.
- Ross Brimelow: an English footballer.
- Martha Brimelow: an American conservationist.
- Stephen Brimelow: a British actor.
- Alexander Brimelow: an English actor, writer and director.
- Eleanor Brimelow: a British actress.
- James Brimelow: an English actor and comedian.
- John Brimelow: a British actor and broadcaster.
- Albert Brimelow: an American politician and businessman.
- Michael Brimelow: a British actor.
- Stephen Brimelow: an English Army officer.
- Tom Brimelow: a British artist and illustrator.