Last Name Brook

The last name "Brook" is of English origin. It is derived from the Middle English word "brok(e)", which means a small stream or a brook. It likely originated as a locational surname for someone who lived near or by a brook or stream. Variations of this surname include Brooks and Brooke. The name can be found in various English-speaking countries, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States.

Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Brook

Regarding the ethnic identity associated with the surname Brook, the data from the Decennial U.S. Census shows some shifts between 2000 and 2010. The percentage of those identifying as White and having the Brook surname increased slightly from 80.56% to 82.92%, while the representation among those identifying as Black decreased from 14.75% to 11.48%. There was notable growth among those identifying as Hispanic and American Indian and Alaskan Native, with increases of 49.39% and 50.00%, respectively. Meanwhile, the percentage of those with the Brook surname identifying as Asian/Pacific Islander also saw an increase, going from 0.65% to 0.76%, while those identifying as two or more races saw a decrease from 1.88% to 1.61%.

	2000	2010	Change
White	80.56%	82.92%	2.93%
Black	14.75%	11.48%	-22.17%
Hispanic	1.64%	2.45%	49.39%
Two or More Races	1.88%	1.61%	-14.36%
American Indian and Alaskan Native	0.52%	0.78%	50%
Asian/Pacific Islander	0.65%	0.76%	16.92%

Brook ancestry composition

NomOrigine computes an ancestry breakdown for each customer. People may have ancestry from just one population or they may have ancestry from several populations. The most commonly-observed ancestry found in people with the surname Brook is British & Irish, which comprises 48.7% of all ancestry found in people with the surname. The next two most common ancestries are French & German (17.9%) and Ashkenazi Jewish (17.2%). Additional ancestries include Scandinavian, Italian, Eastern European, Peninsular Arab, and Spanish & Portuguese.

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ANCESTRY BREAKDOWN	COMPOSITION
British & Irish	48.7%
French & German	17.9%
Ashkenazi Jewish	17.2%
Other	16.3%

Your paternal lineage may be linked to King Louis XVI

The rule of France by men of the House of Bourbon began with King Henri IV in 1589 C.E. and continued until the beheading of his direct paternal descendant King Louis XVI in 1793. Several years ago, researchers analyzed a mummified head and a blood-soaked cloth that they believed might belong to the two kings, and concluded that the royal paternal line belonged to haplogroup G. In a more recent study, however, a different set of researchers tested three living men who are direct descendants of the Bourbon kings. Their efforts revealed that the male lineage of the House of Bourbon is actually a branch of haplogroup R-M405.

Your maternal lineage may be linked to the nomadic Tuareg of the Sahara

Though haplogroup H1 rarely reaches high frequencies beyond western Europe, over 60% of eastern Tuareg in Libya belong to haplogroup H1. The Tuareg call themselves the Imazghan, meaning “free people.” They are an isolated, semi-nomadic people who inhabit the West-Central Sahara and are known today for a distinctive dark blue turban worn by the men, and for their long history as gatekeepers of the desert.How did women carrying H1 make it all the way from western Europe to this isolated community? They likely migrated from Spain across the Strait of Gibraltar into Morocco after the Last Ice Age, where they were assimilated into the Berbers of the Mediterranean coast. Then, about 5,000 years ago, the Sahara shifted from a period of relative habitable conditions to its dramatically arid desert environment. This shift may have caused migrations throughout the Sahara, prompting the ancient Tuaregs to meet and mingle with the Berbers, bringing H1 lineages into their population.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Brook

The meaning and origin of the last name Brook

The surname Brook has both English and Dutch origins. In both cases, it is derived from the word "brook," which refers to a small stream of water. The English version of the surname originated as a topographic name for someone who lived near a brook or stream. In this context, it could also have been given to someone who lived near a place called Brook. The Dutch version of the surname, Van Brook or Van den Brook, is of similar origin but indicates a person from a particular location named Brook or near a particular brook. The surname has various spellings including Brooke and Brooks. Over time, individuals with the surname Brook have migrated to different parts of the world, spreading the name throughout various regions. Today, it remains a relatively common surname that represents the ancestral connection to streams and waterways.

Geographical distribution of the last name Brook

The last name Brook is fairly widespread, with a geographical distribution that stretches across various regions of the world. In the United States, this surname can be found predominantly on the East Coast, particularly in states like New York, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania. It is also prevalent in the Midwest, notably in states such as Ohio and Michigan. Moving across the Atlantic, the surname Brook is also quite common in the United Kingdom, particularly in England. It can be found in various counties and cities, including London, Essex, and Yorkshire. Other European countries, such as Germany and the Netherlands, also have a significant presence of individuals with the surname Brook. Additionally, there are scattered occurrences in Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. Overall, while the last name Brook is relatively widespread, its concentration primarily lies in the United States and the United Kingdom.

Variants and spellings of the last name Brook

The last name Brook has several variations and spellings. One variation is Brooke, where the "e" at the end is added to give the name a more feminine touch. Another variation is Brooks, where the "s" at the end indicates a plural form or a different branch of the family. Other spelling variations include Brookes and Brookes, with the additional "es" emphasizing the pluralization or potentially signifying a different ancestral origin. Additionally, the last name can be found spelled as Brok or Brookes, where the "s" is replaced with a "k" at the end, possibly indicating a regional or dialectal variation. These variations in spelling and pronunciation are common in different geographical regions, as well as across generations. Regardless of the different spellings, all these variations trace their origins back to the Old English word "broc," which means a small stream or a watercourse, reflecting the ancestral connection to water or nature.

Famous people with the last name Brook

One famous figure with the last name Brook is the renowned British film director and actor, Sir Peter Brook. Born in 1925, he is highly regarded as one of the most influential theater directors of the 20th century. Brook's innovative approach to theater has been consistently groundbreaking, and his productions are known for their experimental and imaginative elements. Another notable individual with the last name Brook is Terry Brooks, an acclaimed American author of fantasy novels. He rose to prominence with his bestselling series, "The Sword of Shannara," which has captivated readers with its epic storytelling and intricate world-building. As a prolific writer, Brooks has continued to expand the Shannara universe with numerous sequels and spin-offs. Both Peter Brook and Terry Brooks have made significant contributions to their respective fields, solidifying the legacy of the last name Brook in the worlds of theater and literature.

Genealogical research on the last name Brook

The last name Brook is an English occupational surname derived from the Old English word "broc" which means a brook or a stream. This surname is topographic in nature, indicating that it was originally given to someone who lived near a brook or a stream, or who worked or resided by one. The first instances of the surname Brook have been found in the early 13th century in various regions of England. Over time, the name spread to different parts of the country and evolved into different variations including Brook, Brooke, and Brookes. Many individuals bearing the surname Brook can be traced back to their English ancestry, with the majority still residing in the United Kingdom. However, due to migration and globalization, the name has also spread to other parts of the world, namely the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Individuals with the last name Brook can be proud of their connection to water and their English heritage.

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