Braswell
An English-style surname most likely built from a place-name or field-name, later established in the southern United States.
The #2,605 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 22,311 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Braswell is most likely a habitational surname, formed from the name of a small place or local feature in England. The ending -well usually points to an Old English welle, meaning “spring” or “stream,” while the first element is probably a personal name or an old descriptive word now obscured by time. Because the name is uncommon and early evidence is sparse, the exact original place behind it is uncertain.
History
The name is well represented in the United States, especially in the South, but the historical record in the supplied sources does not explain its earliest origin. In modern usage it functions as a standard hereditary surname rather than a transparent nickname or occupation name. The scarcity of early documentation makes the surname’s precise geographical source difficult to pin down confidently.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
The surname is uncommon enough that 19th-century reference works may mention it only in passing rather than with a full etymology.
From the historical record
“332 NAMES FROM LAW. Barnesville, Ga., there is a law-firm of Braswell & Hardaway, 1858; and at Rochester, N.Y., a firm of " Angle & Trimmer, Attorneys and Counsellors ; " while Mr. Nave practises in that profession at Dan- ville, 111. The death of Mr. Fairbrass is mentioned in " Galignani," Nov. 11, 1859. An edition of”
— Suffolk Surnames (3rd ed.)