NomOrigine Background

Last Name Brodin

What is the origin of the last name Brodin?

The surname Brodin is of Scandinavian origin. It is derived from the Old Norse word "brot" meaning 'brook' or 'stream' and the suffix "-arin" which was used to denote a person who lived by such a place. Therefore, the name Brodin likely referred to someone who lived near a brook or stream in ancient Scandinavia. The name is common among people of Swedish and Norwegian descent.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Brodin

The meaning and origin of the last name Brodin

The surname Brodin is of Scandinavian origin, particularly common among people from Sweden, Norway, and Denmark. It is derived from the Old Norse name "Breidr," meaning "broad" or "wide." Over time, this personal name evolved into the more familiar form "Brodin." The surname is typically patronymic, meaning it indicates that the original bearer was the son of someone named Breidr. Surnames were not universally adopted in Scandinavia until the late Middle Ages, and even then, they tended to be patronymic or matronymic (derived from the mother's name). The spelling variations of Brodin may include Brodén, Broden, Brodinsson, etc., reflecting regional dialects and changes in the language over centuries. Today, the surname Brodin can be found worldwide among Scandinavian diaspora communities and their descendants.

Geographical distribution of the last name Brodin

The surname Brodin is predominantly found in Scandinavian countries, primarily Sweden and Finland, with a significant concentration in these regions. Historically, it originated from the Old Norse word "breiðr" meaning broad or wide, reflecting its early association with physical characteristics or land features. In Sweden, Brodin is most frequent in the central-eastern parts of the country, particularly in the counties of Östergötland, Södermanland, and Västmanland. In Finland, it is more common in the southwestern regions, such as Satakunta and Turku. The name has also been found in Norway, but with a significantly lower frequency compared to its usage in Sweden and Finland. Additionally, there are scattered instances of the Brodin surname globally due to emigration from Scandinavia over the centuries.

Variants and spellings of the last name Brodin

The surname Brodin has several variations and spellings, primarily due to differences in transliteration and regional dialects. Some common spelling variations include: Broden, Brodén (Swedish), Brodain, Brodan, Brodains (French), Brodiński (Polish), Brodinskiy (Russian), and Brodyn (Ukrainian). In addition to these, the name can also be found with different prefixes such as MacBrodin, O'Brodin, McBroden or McBrodén (Irish and Scottish Gaelic), and De Brodin (French/Belgian). The correct spelling of a specific individual's last name depends on their family history, cultural background, and regional dialect. It is essential to understand the context in which the name appears when trying to determine its origin or proper spelling.

Famous people with the last name Brodin

Kalle Brodin and Marcus Brodin are two well-known figures sharing the same last name. Kalle Brodin, born in Sweden in 1986, is a professional bodybuilder who won the Arnold Classic Europe competition in 2014. He has also participated in Mr. Olympia competitions. On the other hand, Marcus Brodin, born in Canada in 1995, is a prominent figure in the world of video games. As a professional eSports player and streamer, he gained fame by winning numerous tournaments and building a large following on platforms like Twitch. Both individuals have made significant contributions to their respective fields and continue to inspire others with their dedication and passion.

Genealogical research on the last name Brodin

The surname Brodin is of Scandinavian origin, primarily associated with Sweden and Norway. It is derived from the Old Norse 'broun' meaning 'brother' or 'relative,' combined with the diminutive suffix '-din.' The earliest recorded occurrence of the name Brodin dates back to the 16th century in Sweden, with Johannes Brodin appearing in the records around 1540. Over time, variations in spelling and phonetic changes have resulted in numerous branches of the Brodin family across Scandinavia and beyond. The Brodins played significant roles in Swedish history, with notable figures such as Carl Johan Brodin, a prominent military officer during the 18th century, and Nils Emil Brodin, an influential economist and politician in the early 20th century. Today, the Brodin family is found worldwide, with many migrating from Scandinavia to other countries, particularly the United States and Canada, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Last name distribution maps

Chargement de la carte...

Sources & References

About the author :
NomOrigine Team
NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 10 June 2025

Share the origin of your last name with your friends

Search the origin of a family name

Enter the surname you are looking for below:

Similar Last Names

Bro ma (Last name)

surnames > bro-ma

The last name "Bro ma" is of Norse origin. It is derived from the Old Norse personal name "Bródi", meaning "famous". This surname is commonly found in Scandinavian countries and m...

Broachwala (Last name)

surnames > broachwala

The last name Broachwala originates from India. It is a combination of the word "broach," which is a type of decorative pin, and "wala," which means "seller" or "maker" in Hindi.

Broaken (Last name)

surnames > broaken

The surname "Broaken" is of English origin and is believed to be a locational surname derived from a place name. It may have originated from the Old English word "broc" meaning a s...

Brobigy (Last name)

surnames > brobigy

The last name "Brobigy" does not appear to have a widely recognized origin or meaning in the English language. It is possible that the name is a rare or unique surname with limited...

Brocardo (Last name)

surnames > brocardo

The last name Brocardo is of Italian origin. It is derived from the Italian word "brocardo," which means "brocade" in English. It is likely that the surname was originally given to...

Brocchini (Last name)

surnames > brocchini

The last name Brocchini is of Italian origin. It is derived from the word "broccato" which means "embroidered" or "figured" in Italian. It is possible that the name was originally ...

Brochard (Last name)

surnames > brochard

The last name "Brochard" has French origins. It is derived from the Old French word "brocart" or "brochard," meaning "embroidered cloth" or "brocade." This surname likely originate...

Brochu (Last name)

surnames > brochu

The surname Brochu is a French name, originating from the medieval occupation of a broker or dealer, specifically in the textile trade. It comes from the Old French word "brocher,"...

Brock heart (Last name)

surnames > brock-heart

The surname Brockheart is of English origin. It is a variant of the surname Brackhart, which is derived from the Old English words "brack" meaning a badger and "heort" meaning a ha...

Brocker ruud (Last name)

surnames > brocker-ruud

The surname Brocker Ruud is of German and Norwegian origin. "Brocker" is a German occupational name for a butcher, derived from the Middle Low German word "brok," meaning "piece" o...

Broco (Last name)

surnames > broco

The surname Broco is believed to have originated from several different sources, primarily Italian and Spanish, due to its similarity across these two languages. In Italian, "Broc...

Brocovich (Last name)

surnames > brocovich

The surname Brocovich originates from Eastern Europe, specifically from countries such as Ukraine, Russia, and Belarus. It is derived from the given name Broc, which is a variant o...

Brocq (Last name)

surnames > brocq

The surname Brocq is of French origin. It comes from the Old French "broch" which means "hook" or "crook." This name could have been given to someone who had a hook-shaped nose, a ...

Brodit (Last name)

surnames > brodit

The surname "Brodit" is of Scandinavian origin. It is derived from a geographical location, likely a place name or a topographical feature. It is relatively rare and may have varia...

Brodoloni (Last name)

surnames > brodoloni

The last name "Brodoloni" is of Italian origin.