Surname Brotherton - Meaning and Origin

Brotherton: What does the surname Brotherton mean?

The last name Brotherton is an English topographic surname which refers to a person who came from a particular geographical location. It is derived from a place name; in this case, a village near the town of Doncaster in South Yorkshire.

The name is believed to have descended from a family who lived in a location which was known as 'Brotier's Town'. This likely derived from 'brott' which is an Old English term for 'dampness' or 'marshland'. It is possible that because of the marshy nature of the soil in the area, it became known as Brotherton.

Over time, the name Brotherton developed into its current form as it became more widely used. Other variants of the surname include Brutherton and Broderton. They all refer to the same source and have the same general meaning.

For many centuries, the Brotherton family has played an important role in the development of the Doncaster area. Lord Henry de Brotherton (also known as Lord Henry de St Catherine's) was a prominent figure in the 14th century, contributing to the land and economy of the area.

Today, the name Brotherton is still found in the Doncaster area, as well as other parts of the UK. It is associated with a proud family history and serves as a reminder of the contribution the Brotherton family has made to the area and its people.

Brotherton: Where does the name Brotherton come from?

The surname Brotherton is mostly found in the United Kingdom. It is particularly common in the northern English counties of North Yorkshire, Lancashire, and West Yorkshire. It is unclear where the surname first originated, however, some believe that it emerged during the Anglo-Saxon period as a patronymic name derived from 'Brother'. The name likely means 'son of Brother', meaning that the original bearer of the name was probably the son of someone known by the nickname 'Brother'.

The 1066 Domesday Book also records a Brotherton; a Norman landholder whom resided in Midgley, West Yorkshire. The name also appears widely in the 1379 poll tax records in East Riding Yorkshire. In the 19th century, the name became commonly adopted as a occupational name as 'Brothers' often referred to familiarly connected craftsmen, such as blacksmiths, millers, and wheelwrights working the same shop together and later becoming known as a collective title 'the Brothers'.

Today, the name Brotherton is still found in the United Kingdom. Most Brothertons are concentrated around the more populous cities and towns of Yorkshire, where the name first became common centuries ago. It can also still be found wide-spread in neighbouring counties such as Lancashire, Derbyshire, and Nottinghamshire. Outside of the United Kingdom, the surname is also found in smaller numbers in the United States, Australia, and Canada.

Variations of the surname Brotherton

Brotherton is an English surname derived from the place name Brotherton in the West Riding of Yorkshire. Variant spellings and surnames of the same origin include:

• Bratherton

• Broderton

• Broderun

• Brodhert

• Brodherton

• Brodthorton

• Brothertin

• Brothertin

• Broterton

• Brothertun

• Brotorton

• Brotterton

• Brothurton

• Brutherton

• Brotirton

• Brodington

• Brudrington

• Brothirton

The variant spellings and surnames are derived from a possible combination of the Old English words “brōþor” (brother) with “tūn” (enclosure, settlement) to form the meaning of “brother’s settlement” or “brother’s town”. Another possible source of the surname is from the Old Norman-French given name “Broder”.

The Brotherton surname is scattered across the United Kingdom, but the majority of holders of the surname can be found in Yorkshire, Lancashire, and Nottinghamshire, as well as in Ireland and Australia.

Famous people with the name Brotherton

• Dr. John Brotherton: British molecular biologist who has done extensive work on cell biology, genetics, and genomics.
• Dannielle Brotherton: TV writer, producer, and novelist who has written for shows like The Mindy Project, Grandfathered, and Aquarius.
• John Brotherton: American actor known for his roles in television shows such as One Tree Hill, Full House and the Leftovers.
• Sebastian Brotherton: British musician and drummer in the band Crocodiles.
• Molly Brotherton: British film and television production assistant who has worked on productions including Game of Thrones, The Crown, and Misfits.
• Mike Brotherton: American astronomer and astrophysicist who currently serves as associate professor at the University of Wyoming.
• Lewis Brotherton: English professional footballer who has most recently been playing for the Cheshire side Warrington Town.
• William C. Brotherton: American electrical engineer and inventor who invented multiple technologies and has a patent in his name for a method and apparatus for determining to be followed or notes to be initiated in a recorded sequence of musical information.
• Joe Brotherton: British professional skateboarder, recognized by the Skateboarding Hall of Fame.
• Richard Brotherton: British jazz saxophonist, clarinetist, and woodwind player who has performed with several notable bands, including Amy Winehouse.

Other surnames

Brothers