Brunton

Brunton is a surname of English origin, meaning "brown town" or "brown enclosure." It is believed to derive from the Old English words "brūn" (brown) and "tūn" (town, settlement, or enclosure). The name is found in various spellings throughout English history, including Brunton and Brunton.

Geographic locations in England also bear the name Brunton. There are several villages and hamlets named Brunton across different counties, such as Brunton in Northumberland, Brunton in County Durham, and Brunton in East Lothian, Scotland, though the latter likely has a similar etymological root. These places often refer to settlements situated in areas with brown soil or a brown landscape.

Notable individuals with the surname Brunton include Sir Thomas Brunton (1849-1908), a Scottish pharmacologist and physician, and Richard Brunton (1770-1825), a Scottish engraver and inventor. The name has also appeared in various historical records, indicating its presence in communities across Britain for centuries. The distribution of the surname suggests it is more common in northern England and Scotland. As with many surnames, its prevalence has shifted over time due to migration and population changes.