Surname Brassfield - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'B'
Brassfield: What does the surname Brassfield mean?
The last name Brassfield likely originates from the Middle English word brass, meaning “copper alloy,” used to make a variety of goods including armor, utensils, weapons, decorative items, and coins. The “field” suffix was added to the name before it reached the modern era, making it a habitational name denoting someone who either lived near or worked with brass.
The Brassfield surname is associated with many notable English towns and cities including Brassfield Hill in the county of Kent, where it's possible the family originated; as well as Brassborough in the parish of Wisborough Green, West Sussex, England, dating back to 1524. Hundreds of Brassfield families can be found in English and British history, and the Brassfield name may be from a western region of Germany, known as the state of Hesse, where it was also very popular.
The Brassfield name is found today throughout the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and many other countries. It has evolved with the times into many different spellings and variations, making it very difficult to trace the roots of a single family line. However, those who bear the name can still take pride in knowing that their ancestors were likely people of great craftsmanship and skill who left a lasting impact on their local communities.
Order DNA origin analysisBrassfield: Where does the name Brassfield come from?
The Brassfield surname does not appear to be especially common today, although it does have a few occurrences across the United States and elsewhere. The majority of instances of the name appear to be in the southern portion of the United States.
In the early United States, the Brassfield surname appeared in Maryland and Virginia. It was also seen in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, suggesting some colonial roots for its presence in the United States.
Today, the Brassfield surname appears to be concentrated mainly in the states of Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Texas. Brassfields are listed as residents in a number of cities throughout these Southern states, including New Orleans, Houston, Austin, Dallas, Mobile, Shreveport, Baton Rouge, and Jackson.
Data from the US Census Bureau’s Genealogy Research Database show a few occurrences of the name in other states, including California, New York, Michigan, and Indiana. It is also present in other countries at a very low rate, such as in the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada.
The Brassfield surname is not considered especially common today, although it has some presence in the United States and other parts of the world. It appears to have maintained some strong roots in the South, where it has been present for over two centuries.
Variations of the surname Brassfield
The surname Brassfield is believed to have originated in Scotland, but is also found in other parts of the United Kingdom as well as in countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia. Variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin include:
• Brasfield
• Brascfield
• Brascavel
• Bresfield
• Braskfield
• Braskvel
• Breasfield
• Breaskfield
• Brucesfield
• Brossfield
• Broesfield
• Brucefield
• Brucefeild
Variations of this surname can be traced back to the 11th century when people adopted surnames based on the appearance of their communities. Most variants of Brassfield stem from a place in Scotland known as ‘Bressy Field’, which literally translates into ‘Bras’ field’. One of the earliest records of these variations in Scotland is the name of Johannes de Brefsfeld, who was born in 1275.
Variations of Brassfield can also be found in England after the Norman Conquest in 1066. Records show that the variations Bresfeild and Bresfeld are found in Northumberland, England as early as 1250. It is likely that the name was anglicized or changed to easier to pronounce names.
Most variants of the name Brassfield are still relatively rare. Despite the fact that Brassfield is one of the most common surnames in the United States, surnames such as Bresfeild and Brasfield are scarcely seen in the United States.
Regardless of the variations, modern usage of the name Brassfield is mostly concentrated in Scotland. The current estimated population of Brassfields in Scotland is 1,867 people, making it one of the most popular surnames in Scotland.
Famous people with the name Brassfield
- Rita Brassfield: An American country music singer-songwriter, who has released two albums.
- James Brassfield: An American actor, best known for roles in the television series Dallas and The WB's Jack & Bobby.
- Jody Brassfield: An American gospel singer and recording artist who has released several albums in her career.
- Cody Brassfield: A fashion photographer, whose work has been featured in magazines such as Vogue Italia, GQ, Elle, Harper's Bazaar, and Esquire.
- Mike Brassfield: A former U.S. Marine and college football player who is now a college football coach.
- Rob Brassfield: An American actor who has appeared in many independent films and television shows.
- Elizabeth Brassfield: An American musician, songwriter, and producer who has released two albums.
- Robert Brassfield: A U.S. theater and film actor who has appeared in Off-Broadway productions and television series such as Law & Order and NYPD Blue.
- Marty Brassfield: An award-winning U.S. theater producer and artistic director.
- Tommy Brassfield: An American blues artist and singer-songwriter who has independently released several albums.