Braithwaite

Braithwaite is a toponym and a surname with origins in northern England. The place-name is formed from elements common in Old Norse and Old English, with the suffix -thwaite meaning a cleared settlement or homestead. The first element braith is less certain in etymology but is thought to refer to a geographical feature such as a slope or clearing in some localities. The surname Braithwaite developed from these placenames and is now found in England and in other countries, often carried by descendants of settlers.

There are several places named Braithwaite in England. The best known are Great Braithwaite and Little Braithwaite in Calderdale, West Yorkshire, near the town of Hebden Bridge. There is also a village named Braithwaite in the Lake District of Cumbria, near Keswick, which lies along major routes into the eastern fells and is part of the historic county of Cumberland.

As a surname, Braithwaite is found in English-speaking countries and among the diaspora. It has been borne by individuals in public life, academia, sport, and the arts, among others; the name is relatively common in parts of the United Kingdom and the former British colonies.

Variant spellings include Brathwaite and Braithwait, reflecting historical orthographic variation. The name is treated as a toponymic surname in onomastic studies and is used in genealogical research to trace family origins in northern England.