Surname Brewster - Meaning and Origin
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O. Brewster
read moreBrewster: What does the surname Brewster mean?
The surname Brewster is of Old English origin, derived from the word "breowan" which means "to brew". It is an occupational surname given to individuals who brewed ale and beer during the Middle Ages. Today, it reflects the profession of the person's ancestor who was probably a brewer in a community. In Middle English, "brewster" specifically refers to a female brewer, but eventually it was also used to refer to males in the brewing profession. Therefore, bearing this surname suggests that one's ancestors were involved in the historic brewing industry. It is a common surname in England, especially in areas where brewing was a significant industry. Famous individuals with this surname include actor Paget Brewster and Brewster Kahle, computer engineer and internet entrepreneur.
Order DNA origin analysisBrewster: Where does the name Brewster come from?
The last name Brewster has an Old English origin and is an occupational surname related to brewing. It derives from the Old English word "breowan" which means "to brew". The name was traditionally given to a female brewer or the wife or daughter of a male brewer, with the "-ster" ending being a feminine suffix in Old English.
Today, Brewster is most common in the United States and England. Despite these regions having a high number of people with the surname Brewster, it remains quite rare, not featuring in the top 100 most common surnames in either country. It is also present to a lesser extent in other English-speaking countries like Canada and Australia. Famous people sharing this surname include actress Jordana Brewster and William Brewster, a 17th-century English official and passenger on the Mayflower.
Variations of the surname Brewster
The surname Brewster primarily originates from England and Scotland, and is an occupational title referring to a brewer of beer or ale. Variants of the surname Brewster include Brewter, Bruister, and Bruenster.
In terms of spelling variations, there are quite a few due to the phonetic transcription and language translations over the years. Some of these include Brewstar, Brewstere, Brewsterr, Brewstor, Brewstur, and Brewstyr. The early medieval period witnessed many spelling variations for surnames as the Old and Middle English languages lacked definite spelling rules.
Moreover, due to migration and subsequent influence of other languages, the surname has taken on additional forms in other countries. For example, in Germany it became Brewsters, in the Netherlands it can be found as Brouwers, and in France as Brasseur.
It's important to note that while these are variants, spellings, and surnames of a similar origin to Brewster, each variant may have its own separate lineage and may not always directly indicate kinship with others having the Brewster surname. For instance, a person called Brouwers in the Netherlands may not necessarily have ancestral connection to a Brewster in England.
Famous people with the name Brewster
- Paget Brewster: She is a well-known American actress and singer, popular for her role in the television series "Criminal Minds".
- Jordana Brewster: An American actress and model known for her roles in the "Fast & Furious" franchise and TV soap opera "As the World Turns".
- Elizabeth Brewster: A prominent Canadian poet, recognized for her significant contributions to Canadian literature.
- David Brewster: A Scottish physicist, mathematician, astronomer, inventor, and writer of the 19th century. He is known for his work in optics.
- Lin Brewster: An English women's footballer who played for FA WSL clubs like Chelsea, Millwall, Brighton & Hove Albion.
- Jonah Brewster: A musician and band member of the American punk rock band Morning Glory.
- Kingman Brewster Jr.: He was a noted educator and diplomat, serving as President of Yale University and U.S. Ambassador to the U.K.
- Constance Brewster: An English actress known for her roles in films like "Daphne" and "Allied". Please note that the term 'Brewster' also has historic significance as it was used in medieval England to refer to a female brewer.