Surname Bruland - Meaning and Origin
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Bruland: What does the surname Bruland mean?
The last name Bruland is a surname of Norwegian origin derived from the Old Norse words 'brun' and 'land' which together literally mean 'brown land'. This was likely in reference to a family that had settled on a piece of brown farmland, and was used to distinguish between different local families of the same name.
Bruland is a very common last name in Norway; records show that it originated quite early in the country's history. The earliest known published record of the Bruland name dates back to 1282 in a document from the Diocese of Oslo. It is also found in a census from 1500-1600 of Bergen, Norway's second-largest city.
According to Norwegian tradition, the Bruland family remains concentrated in the areas where the original settlers of the name were first found. Generally, the name is associated with rural farming and fishing communities; there are currently multiple Bruland families living in Norway, especially in the Trondelag, Nord-Trondelag, and Rogaland regions.
Overall, the surname Bruland is a nod to Norway's rich history and diverse geography. The name conjures up images of the beauty and grandeur of the Norwegian landscape, and of a people who have been living and working in those regions for centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisBruland: Where does the name Bruland come from?
The last name Bruland is associated with Scandinavian countries like Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. In Norway, it is among the 20 most common surnames. The 2014 census showed that there were over 7,000 Norwegian residents with the last name Bruland.
In Sweden, it is also quite common. According to 2019 estimates, there were over 6,500 people with the last name Bruland living in Sweden.
In Denmark, the last name Bruland is also quite common. The Danish branch of the Bruland family dates back to the mid-17th century. Records from 1787 show that 89 people with the last name Bruland were living in Frederiksborg County, Denmark. According to official records from 2019, there were over 2,000 people with the last name Bruland living in Denmark.
While the Bruland surname is most commonly associated with Scandinavia, there are also many people with the last name living in other countries. Reports from 2000 show that there were over 400 people with the last name Bruland living in the United States, while current estimates show that there are now over 1,000 people with the last name Bruland living in the United States. Furthermore, there are many people with the last name living in other countries, such as Canada, Australia, and Germany.
Variations of the surname Bruland
The surname Bruland is an ancient Norwegian and Swedish name dating back to the Viking age, and derived from the Old Norse word ‘brú’ meaning ‘dwelling’. Today, the surname is primarily found in countries such as Norway, Denmark, and Sweden.
The variants of the surname Bruland are Brolund, Brulan, Brolan, Brolann, Brulland, Brullen, Brulland, Brullen, Brölund, Brölan, Brölann, and Brölen.
The spellings of the surname can include Bru- and Bro-. For example, similar spellings include Brulund, Brulundt, Brulunden, Brullund, Brullundt, Brullunden, Brolund, Brolundt, Brolunden, Brollund, Brollundt, and Brollunden. Spellings can also include a hyphen like the Norwegian spelling ‘Bruland-Ryen’.
The surnames Bruland and Brodersen are two distinct surnames of Norwegian origins, however, they are sometimes found combined as ‘Brodersen-Bruland’. The combination is due to a royal marriage between two families in the late 18th century.
In some cases, families today may have adopted more modern spellings of the surname Bruland due to the requirement of the Norwegian Church Registry. For example, the name may have been changed for record keeping purposes to Brolund, Brölund, or Brolann.
The surname Bruland is also found used as a given name as well.
Famous people with the name Bruland
- Ivar Arne Bruland: Norwegian cinematographer. He started to work in films at the age of 14 as a photographer, and turned to directing in 1962.
- Dag Bruland: Norwegian jazz guitarist. He has released several albums as a leader, as well as a contributor for other artists.
- Svein Bruland: Norwegian politician. He served as the Minister of Environment in the early 1980s.
- Michael Bruland: Norwegian-American artist and designer, known for his distinctive style of oil painting landscapes, cityscapes, and figurative subjects.
- Odvar Bruland: Norwegian ice hockey player and coach. He captained the Norwegian national team from 1979-1986, and later returned to coach them.
- Håvard Bruland: Norwegian footballer who played for the national team beginning in the early 2000s, and in Europe from 2004-2007.
- Steinar Bruland: Norwegian historian and author. He is best known for his works on the modern history of Norway, both in general and specific topics.
- Leif Bruland: Norwegian lawyer and politician, serving as a deputy representative to the Storting from the Conservative Party from 1997-2001.
- Christian Bruland: Norwegian contemporary artist, based in Oslo. His work focuses on cityscapes and traditional Norwegian landscapes painted in a modern style.
- Tor Åge Bruland: Norwegian actor, director, and dramaturge who has worked in many productions including films, plays, and television series.