Explore the Family Name Briar

The meaning of Briar

English: topographic name from Middle English (atte) bre(i)r ‘(at the) prickly or thorny plant’, for someone who lived by such plants, such as brier (the dog rose) or bramble (compare Breer), or a nickname perhaps alluding to a sharp-tongued person.

Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.

How common is the last name Briar in the United States?

Based on the Decennial U.S. Census data, the popularity of the surname Briar has seen a slight increase from 2000 to 2010. In 2000, it was ranked at approximately 53,191 and rose in rank to about 50,564 by 2010. This indicates a 4.94 percent change in ranking. The count of individuals with this surname also increased from 365 in 2000 to 413 in 2010, revealing a 13.15 percent growth. However, the proportion per 100k people remained consistent at 0.14 for both years.

20002010Change
Rank#53,191#50,5644.94%
Count36541313.15%
Proportion per 100k0.140.140%

Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Briar

Regarding ethnicity, according to the Decennial U.S. Census data, there was a small shift in the ethnic identity associated with the surname Briar between 2000 and 2010. The percentage of individuals identifying as White decreased from 96.99 to 95.88 percent. Meanwhile, the representation of Hispanic ethnicity slightly increased from 1.37 to 1.45 percent. Asian/Pacific Islander representation also appeared for the first time in 2010 at 1.94 percent. There were no recorded changes for those identifying as Black or American Indian and Alaskan Native.

20002010Change
White96.99%95.88%-1.14%
Asian/Pacific Islander0%1.94%0%
Hispanic1.37%1.45%5.84%
Two or More Races0%0%0%
Black0%0%0%
American Indian and Alaskan Native0%0%0%