Surname Brimlow - Meaning and Origin
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Brimlow: What does the surname Brimlow mean?
The surname Brimlow is thought to be of English origin and is likely a topographical or locational name derived from one of the places so named in England. It is believed that the places named Brimlow derived their name from Old English, meaning "a stream frequented by brim (or sea) trout," due to its proximity to the sea and other fish-filled streams.
Over time, the name changed from the Old English to the Middle English "bremeles," and from there to its modern spelling of Brimlow. As the name evolved, any person who lived near one of these places was likely to adopt the surname Brimlow.
As the surname became more widely used, it developed into a surname classifying those who hailed from the Brimlow area. The common use of the surname eventually grew to encompass people who lived in other locations too, including those who simply adopted or were given the name because it sounded appealing.
Today, the surname Brimlow is still used by people around the world. Although the locations that gave birth to the name have long since disappeared, the name has stood the test of time and remains in use today. It is a testament to how far language, culture, and geography can travel, even in a single surname.
Order DNA origin analysisBrimlow: Where does the name Brimlow come from?
Brimlow is a surname originating in England, though today it is most commonly found in the United States. It is believed to be derived from the Middle English “brimel” and “hlaw”, meaning a slope or large hill. This suggests the family had a connection to the land that they owned or serviced.
In the United States, Brimlow can be found in the states of Texas, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, though Ohio claims the highest percentage of Brimlow households at around 0.002%. Here, the name is primarily concentrated in the following counties: Jackson, Summit, Scioto, Hamilton, Wyandot, and Portage.
Though it is not the most common of surnames today, it is still a widely distributed family name throughout the United States. And, while its origins may go back to England’s Middle Ages, the United States still proudly claims it as its own.
Variations of the surname Brimlow
The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Brimlow are Brimell, Briemle, Brimla, Brymlow, Bramwell, Brimhall, Breedlove, and Brimhall.
Brimlow is an English surname thought to be derived from the place-name Bramhall, located in Greater Manchester. The name Bramhall is taken from the Old English words 'Brom' meaning 'broom' and 'halh' meaning 'nook or corner'. Alternately, Brimlow is believed to be derived from 'brym', meaning 'dense or thick', and 'halh'.
The variant spellings of Brimlow can be broken down further into specific regional dialect spellings. In the North Midlands, 'Brimell' was commonly used; in Scotland, 'Briemle' or 'Brimla' was popular; and in the South Midlands, 'Brymlow' was the favored variant spelling.
Regional dialect spellings can be further broken down into variants. For example, the common variant spelling of 'Brimhall' is thought to be derived from 'bram' meaning 'broom' and 'hyll', a variation of 'halh'. Likewise, 'Bramwell' is thought to be derived from 'bram' and 'wella', meaning 'a fountain or spring'; and 'Breedlove' from 'bred', meaning 'broad', and 'love'.
These spellings have been used interchangeably over time. The evolution of the British language and the various dialects have no doubt contributed to the different spellings of the surname Brimlow.
Famous people with the name Brimlow
- Tommy Brimlow: American independent film actor, writer, and director.
- Roman Brimlow: British singer/songwriter who released his debut EP “Dreaming in Public” in 2016.
- Richard Brimlow: English actor known for his role as Father in the BBC period drama “Downton Abbey”.
- Lee Brimlow: American actor best known for his roles in the films “The Entity” and “Night of the Comet”.
- David Brimlow: American basketball player who played for the University of Arkansas in the late 1970s/early 1980s.
- Jacob Brimlow: American singer/songwriter who has released several independent albums, including 2018’s “The Blackbird Diaries”.
- Donald Brimlow: American football halfback who played in the NFL for the Cleveland Browns in the late 1940s.
- Ray Brimlow: American Olympic long-distance runner who represented the United States at the 1948 London Summer Games.
- Kevin Brimlow: British actor best known for playing Stuart in the television program “Halfway Across the Galaxy and Turn Left”.