Surname Brace - Meaning and Origin
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Brace: What does the surname Brace mean?
The last name Brace is of English origin, and it is thought to be derived from an old English word meaning an outcast, or one who lives outside of society. Historically, the name may have referred to a family who had been banished from their home or were forced to move due to political or religious persecution.
The name Brace was quite common during the Middle Ages. The family would have had its own coat of arms with a crest or symbol to proudly represent their identity. As the Brace family spread throughout Britain, some variation in spelling occurred, but the original form is believed to have been "brace" or "brase." A prominent bearer of the Brace surname was Thomas Brace, who was a member of the landed gentry in the Isle of Ely in the mid-sixteenth century.
The modern day Brace family still retains a sense of identity and pride. The name is especially common in the South West of England, particularly in Devon and Cornwall. Although Brace still evokes associations of outcasts in the modern day, the original meaning is one of determination and resilience – and those qualities are still reflected in those who bear the name.
Order DNA origin analysisBrace: Where does the name Brace come from?
The last name Brace is most common in the United Kingdom. It is an English name, originating in either the Welsh or Anglo-Saxon languages. Brace derives from the name "Bryce", derived from elements which mean "strength" or "stronghold" and this is the meaning of the name today.
Outside the UK, the Brace name is ranked as one of the top ten most common surnames in Canada, with a population of more than 2,000. In the United States, where the last name originated from England, it ranks as the 517th most popular last name.
Due to most bearers of the name leaving England and settling in other countries, the name has spread around the world. It can be found in countries such as Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and other parts of Europe. Some bearers of the name have even made their way to India and parts of Central and South America in recent years.
Today, Brace is still seen as a strong and powerful name. It can be seen as a sign of fortitude and courage and those bearing the name are often seen as strong and valiant.
Variations of the surname Brace
The surname Brace is a topographical name derived from the Old English word ‘braca’, which means ‘Broom’. It is believed to refer to someone who lived near a patch of broom bushes or a location which had a specific name associated to it that included the word ‘Braca’. The surname can be spelt in a variety of different ways such as Breese, Brees, Braise, Brac, Braice, Braece, Brayce, Brasse or even Bruce.
Variant spellings of the surname Brace are most commonly found in English speaking countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom. The Brace surname can also be found in the Netherlands and parts of France.
Some of the surnames with similar origins are Bracer and Bracier. These variations were used in the Middle English period, which was heavily influenced by French. Other related surnames include Brachens, Breese, Brads and Braises.
In some cases, the surname Brace can be mispronounced as ‘Bracy’ or ‘Bracey’. There is also a version of the name found in Ireland, known as ‘Br*. This last surname is derived from the Irish phrase ó bPress’, which translates as ‘from the marsh’.
Finally, there may be instances where the surname Brace is found with a prefix, such as the DeBracy and LeBracy variations. This is due to the adoption of the French language into English culture in the late Middle Ages, which had a strong presence on surnames during this period.
Famous people with the name Brace
- Josh Brace: a professional basketball player who plays for the Brooklyn Nets of the National Basketball Association (NBA)
- Eliza Brace: a British model and activist
- Alicia Brace: a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist
- Andre Brace: a British rugby player
- Donovan Brace : a National Football League (NFL) player
- Emily Brace: an American actress
- Jonathan Brace: a British journalist and author
- John Brace: a British television presenter
- Jeff Brace: a British rock and blues guitarist
- Barry Brace: an actor and physical theatre performer