Show ContentsBrown History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Brown Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Etymology of Brown

What does the name Brown mean?

When the Strongbownian's arrived in Ireland there was already a system for creating patronymic names in place. Therefore, the native population regarded many of the Anglo-Norman naming practices that these settlers were accustomed to as rather unusual. Despite their differences, the two different systems eventually merged together rather insidiously. The Strongbownians, when they arrived, displayed a preference for used nickname surnames. Two of the most prevalent forms were oath nicknames and imperative names. Oath names often carried blessings or were formed from habitual expressions. Imperative names, formed from a verb added to a noun or an adverb, metaphorically described the bearer's occupations. The nick name surname Brown is derived from a nickname for a person with brown hair or a tanned complexion, or a person who favored brown clothing. The surname Brown is derived from the Old English word brun or the Old French word brun, which both mean brown, and are both ultimately of Germanic origin. The Gaelic forms of the name are De Brún or le Brún. The latter form is considered to be correct.

Early Origins of the Brown family

The surname Brown was first found in County Galway. The first Browne to settle in Ireland was descended from the Counts of Marche in Pictou, in Normandy. Hugh le Brun married Isabel, the widow of King John, and their son, William de Valence was created Earl of Pembroke. Sir Hugh le Brun was one of the Lords of the Marches of Wales. His grandson, Sir William landed in Ireland in 1172 during the Norman invasion, and his son, Fromond le Brun, was Chancellor of Ireland in 1230. From Fromond was descended Sir David who built the Castle of Carrowbrowne in Oranmore. This became the senior branch of the Brownes of Galway.

Early History of the Brown family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Brown research. Another 150 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1585, 1594, 1608, 1610, 1620, 1633, 1634, 1635, 1638, 1656, 1668, 1670, 1694, 1705 and 1757 are included under the topic Early Brown History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Brown Spelling Variations

During the lifetime of an individual person, his name was often spelt by church officials and medieval scribes the way it sounded. An examination of the many different origins of each name has revealed many spelling variations for the name: Browne, Brownes and others.

Early Notables of the Brown family

  • Geoffrey Browne (died 1608), Alderman of Galway, Mayor of Galway (1634-1635), member of the Tribes of Galway
  • Sir Dominick Browne (c.1585-1656), Irish merchant and landowner
  • Mother Mary Bonaventure Browne (ca.1610-1670), member of the Order of Saint Clare (Poor Clare) and Irish historian
  • Geoffrey Browne (died 1668), Irish lawyer and politician
  • Valentine Browne, 1st Viscount Kenmare (1638-1694), an Irish peer
  • Peter Browne (1594-1633), a Mayflower passenger on its 1620 voyage, signer of the Mayflower Compact

Brown World Ranking

the United States, the name Brown is the 5th most popular surname with an estimated 1,544,427 people with that name. 1 However, in Canada, the name Brown is ranked the 2nd most popular surname with an estimated 108,859 people with that name. 2 And in Quebec, Canada, the name Brown is the 350th popular surname. 3 Newfoundland, Canada ranks Brown as 8th with 1,140 people. 4 France ranks Brown as 1,837th with 3,343 people. 5 Australia ranks Brown as 4th with 105,078 people. 6 New Zealand ranks Brown as 4th with 8,365 people. 7 The United Kingdom ranks Brown as 3rd with 272,112 people. 8 South Africa ranks Brown as 189th with 34,381 people. 9

Brown migration to the United States +

During the middle of the 19th century, Irish families often experienced extreme poverty and racial discrimination in their own homeland under English rule. Record numbers died of disease and starvation and many others, deciding against such a fate, boarded ships bound for North America. The largest influx of Irish settlers occurred with Great Potato Famine of the late 1840s. Unfortunately, many of those Irish that arrived in Canada or the United States still experienced economic and racial discrimination. Although often maligned, these Irish people were essential to the rapid development of these countries because they provided the cheap labor required for the many canals, roads, railways, and other projects required for strong national infrastructures. Eventually the Irish went on to make contributions in the less backbreaking and more intellectual arenas of commerce, education, and the arts. Research early immigration and passenger lists revealed many early immigrants bearing the name Brown:

Brown Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Abraham Brown, who arrived in Watertown, Massachusetts in 1630 11
  • Mr. John Brown, British settler, from London who sailed from Isle of Wight arriving in Salem, Massachusetts in 1630 aboard the ship "Talbot" as part of the Winthrop Fleet 12
  • Mr. Samuel Brown, British settler, from London who sailed from Isle of Wight arriving in Salem, Massachusetts in 1630 aboard the ship "Talbot" as part of the Winthrop Fleet 12
  • Edward Brown, who arrived in Salem, Massachusetts in 1635 11
  • Edmund Brown, who arrived in New England in 1637 11
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Brown Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Ellinor Brown, who arrived in Virginia in 1700 11
  • Duksell Brown, who landed in Virginia in 1701 11
  • Bridgett Brown, who landed in Virginia in 1713 11
  • Ellen Brown, who arrived in Virginia in 1714 11
  • Christ Brown, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1729 11
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Brown Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Godlip Brown, who landed in New York in 1801 11
  • Biddy Brown, aged 38, who landed in America in 1803 11
  • Barbara Brown, aged 18, who landed in New York, NY in 1804 11
  • Widow Brown, aged 60, who arrived in New York, NY in 1804 11
  • Easter Brown, aged 20, who landed in New York, NY in 1804 11
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Brown Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Mr. Richard Brown, (b. 1865), aged 35, Cornish quarryman travelling aboard the ship "Servia" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 12th September 1900 en route to Bangor, Pennsylvania, USA 13
  • Mr. William Brown, (b. 1897), aged 3, Cornish settler travelling aboard the ship "St Louis" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 8th September 1900 en route to New York, USA 13
  • Mr. David Brown, (b. 1867), aged 33, Cornish labourer travelling aboard the ship "St Louis" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 8th September 1900 en route to New York, USA 13
  • Miss Annie Brown, (b. 1896), aged 4, Cornish settler travelling aboard the ship "St Louis" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 8th September 1900 en route to New York, USA 13
  • Mr. Louis Brown, (b. 1895), aged 5, Cornish settler travelling aboard the ship "St Louis" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 8th September 1900 en route to New York, USA 13
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Brown migration to Canada +

Brown Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Geo Brown, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1749
  • William Brown, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1749
  • Danl Brown, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1749
  • David Brown, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1749
  • Francis Brown, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1749
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Brown Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • William Brown, aged 20, who arrived in Canada in 1811
  • James Brown, aged 63, Scottish mason who landed in Pictou, Nova Scotia in 1815-1816 11
  • William Brown, who arrived in Canada in 1820
  • Andrew Brown, who arrived in Canada in 1821
  • William Brown, aged 16, who arrived in Canada in 1823
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Brown Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century
  • H Brown, who landed in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1907

Brown migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia included the First Fleet, Second Fleet and Third Fleet of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

First Fleet
  • Miss Kezia Brown, (1771 - 1854), aged 17, British convict convicted in Gloucestershire, England in 1788, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Neptune" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 10
  • Mr. James Brown, British settler convicted in Middlesex, England in 1788, sentenced to 7 years for theft, transported aboard the ship "Neptune, Scarborough or Surprize" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 11
  • Mr. John Brown, (1760 - 1835), aged 29, British settler convicted in Cambridgeshire, England in 1788, sentenced to 14 years for theft, transported aboard the ship "Surprize" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 11
  • Mr. John Brown, (b. 1764), aged 25, British settler convicted in London, England in 1788, sentenced to Life for theft, transported aboard the ship "Surprize" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 11
  • Miss Martha Brown, British settler convicted in Essex, England in 1788, sentenced to 7 years for theft, transported aboard the ship "Neptune, Scarborough or Surprize" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 11
Second Fleet
  • Mr. Charles Brown, British settler convicted in Warwickshire, England in 1789, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Admiral Barrington" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 11
  • Mr. George Brown, British settler convicted in Northumberland, England in 1789, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Third Fleet" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 11
  • Mr. John Brown, (1741 - 1821), aged 49, British settler convicted in Shrewsbury (Salop), England in 1787, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Matilda" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 11
  • Mr. John Brown, British settler convicted in Yorkshire, England in 1789, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Matilda" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 11
  • Mr. John Brown, British settler convicted in Kent, England in 1787, sentenced to 7 years for petty larceny, transported aboard the ship "Albermarle" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 11
Third Fleet
  • Mr. James Brown, (b. 1762), aged 25, English labourer convicted in Hertford, Hertfordshire on 2nd March 1785, sentenced for 7 years for stealing animals, transported aboard the ship "Alexander" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788 11
  • Mr. William French Brown, (b. 1757), aged 30, English settler convicted in Southwark, London on 10th January 1786, sentenced for 7 years for stealing food, transported aboard the ship "Alexander" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788 11
  • Mr. Richard Brown, (b. 1751), aged 36, English settler convicted in Abingdon, Oxfordshire on 15th July 1783, sentenced for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Alexander" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788 11
  • Mr. Thomas Brown, (b. 1764), aged 23, English settler convicted in London on 24th May 1784, sentenced for 7 years for theft, transported aboard the ship "Scarborough" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788 11
  • Mr. Thomas Brown, (b. 1762), aged 25, English settler convicted in Exeter, Devon on 10th September 1783, sentenced for 7 years for returning from transport, transported aboard the ship "Charlotte" leaving on 13th May 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia on 22nd January 1788 11
Following the First, Second and Third Fleets, other convicts and early settlers arriving in Australia include:

Brown Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century
Brown Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. John Brown, (b. 1778), aged 22, British Convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for life for breaking and entering, transported aboard the "Earl Cornwallis" in August 1800, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1828 16
  • Mr. Joseph Brown, (John), British Convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for life, transported aboard the "Earl Cornwallis" in August 1800, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 16
  • Mr. John Brown, Irish convict who was convicted in Limerick, Ireland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Atlas" on 29th November 1801, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 17
  • Mr. Thomas Brown, Irish convict who was convicted in Limerick, Ireland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Atlas" on 29th November 1801, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, believed to have died on board 17
  • Mr. William Brown, Irish convict who was convicted in Ireland, Wexford for life, transported aboard the "Atlas" on 29th November 1801, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 17
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Brown migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Brown Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Mr. William Brown, Australian settler travelling from Hobart, Tasmania, Australia aboard the ship "Bee" arriving in New Zealand in 1833 18
  • Alfred N Brown, who landed in Bay of Islands, New Zealand in 1836
  • Mr. Brown, Australian settler travelling from Sydney aboard the ship "Bee" arriving in New Zealand in 1838 18
  • Mr. Brown, Australian settler travelling from Sydney aboard the ship "Dublin Packet" arriving in Cloudy Bay, South Island, New Zealand in 1838 18
  • Samuel Brown, who landed in Auckland, New Zealand in 1840
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Brown (post 1700) +

  • Millie Bobby Brown (b. 2004), British Primetime Emmy Award nominated actress and producer, known for playing Eleven in the Netflix science fiction series Stranger Things (2016-), and the Netflix mystery films Enola Holmes (2020 and 2022)
  • Irving Brown (1911-1989), American trade-unionist, member of the American Federation of Labor, co-founder of the American Institute for Free Labor Development in 1962, recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom
  • John Brown "of Ossawatomie" (1800-1859), American hero of Harper's Ferry and martyr to the Abolitionists, who in inciting Negro slaves to rebellion in 1859 struck the note of alarm which resulted in the Civil War
  • Herbert Charles Brown (b. 1912), American chemist and Nobel Prize in Chemistry laureate for his work with organoboranes
  • Lester Raymond "Les" Brown (1912-2001), American jazz musician who led the big band Les Brown and His Band of Renown for nearly seven decades from 1938 to 2000, renowned for "Sentimental Journey" with Doris Day, and "I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm", the Band of Renown performed with Bob Hope on radio, stage and television for almost fifty years and did 18 USO Tours
  • Gerald Michael Brown (1942-2025), American gaming regulator in New Jersey, became a lawyer for the gaming industry, and chief executive officer of Foxwoods Resort Casino
  • Elizabeth Brown Miller (1966-2025), American ice hockey player, won a gold medal at the 1998 Winter Olympics
  • Thomas William "Tom" Brown (1940-2025), American professional football and baseball player who won two Super Bowls with the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL)
  • Kathan Brown (1935-2025), American multiple award winning master printmaker, writer, lecturer, and entrepreneur who founded Crown Point Press, a fine art print shop specializing in etching in 1962
  • ... (Another 199 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Arrow Air Flight 1285
  • Mr. Johnny L Brown (1965-1985), American Private 1st Class from Sumter, South Carolina, USA who died in the Arrow Air Flight 1285 crash 19
  • Solomon Brown (b. 1815), British passenger aboard the ship "Cataraqui" when sailing for Melbourne, Australia she struck rocks of Kings Island and sank on 4th April 1845, he survived
  • Hannah Brown (b. 1805), British passenger who died aboard the ship "Cataraqui" when sailing for Melbourne, Australia she struck rocks of Kings Island and sank on 4th April 1845
  • Ellen Brown (b. 1831), British passenger who died aboard the ship "Cataraqui" when sailing for Melbourne, Australia she struck rocks of Kings Island and sank on 4th April 1845
  • Phoebe Brown (b. 1837), British passenger who died aboard the ship "Cataraqui" when sailing for Melbourne, Australia she struck rocks of Kings Island and sank on 4th April 1845
  • ... (Another 117 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

The Brown Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Fortiter et fideliter
Motto Translation: Boldly and faithfully.

Suggested Readings for the name Brown +

  • Burgess, Mullins, Browning, Brown, and Allied Families by James A. Burgess.
  • Ancestors and Descendants of Henry Marion Murphy and Anna Jane Brown by Lera Murphy Johnson.
  • Brown and Sayre Ancestry; Three Centuries in Northern New Jersey by Mortimer Freeman Sayre.
  • Brown (Browne) and the Descendants in Carolina Today by Joseph Parsons Brown.
  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  2. "Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
  3. "The first 1,000 family names by rank, Quebec (in French only)" Institut de la statistique du Quebec, https://statistique.quebec.ca/en/document/family-names-in-quebec/tableau/the-first-1000-family-names-by-rank-quebec
  4. The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
  5. http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
  6. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  7. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  8. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  9. "Most Common Last Names in South Africa." Forebears, https://forebears.io/south-africa/surnames
  10. Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships
  11. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  12. Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's. Retrieved January 6th 2023 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  13. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_ellis_island_1892_on.pdf
  14. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 29th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/barwell
  15. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 30th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/Britannia
  16. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 13th August 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-cornwallis
  17. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 14th July 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/atlas
  18. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  19. American War Memorials - Flight 1285. (Retrieved 2016, August 24) . Retrieved from http://www.uswarmemorials.org/html/monument_details.php?SiteID=317&MemID=550

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