2006-07-25 08:53:17 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
Among the light-skinned English anyone with a darker complexion, brown hair, tendancy toward brown clothing, etc. were often described that way, and it stuck as a surname.
2006-07-25 09:08:42 · answer #1 · answered by jeki_dslo 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It seems to be closely related with sensitivity of some to colours of others in Europe. A part of such names developed from Old High German language. 'Brown also occurs as an anglicization of the Jewish names listed below, including compounds, and of names in other languages meaning brown.'
Source: The origin of the name Brown: http://privatewww.essex.ac.uk/~alan/family/S-Brown.html
2006-07-25 11:31:15 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Definition: Brown haired or brown skinned. Brown was derived from complexion, color of hair, or garments, and is consequently, a very common surname. Includes a number of derivatives in many countries.
Surname Origin: Various
Alternate Surname Spellings: BROWNE, BROWNING
2006-07-25 09:39:07 · answer #3 · answered by maxie 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
brown arrive from brownish. brown originate from the old english
2006-07-25 09:11:10 · answer #4 · answered by Alexia 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋