where does the last name brooks come from
Brooks (surname) Brooks is a toponymic surname that is thought to have been derived residing near a stream (or brook) from both the Swedish surname Bäckland, meaning bäck "brook, stream" and lund "grove" and English , Gaelic and Scottish from the possessive case of Brook (i.e. ‘of the brook’) from pre 7th century English origins; Old English broc and appearing in the Medieval predecessors of "Brooks" such as "Ate-Broc" and "Atte-Broc". The surname Brooks has many Germanic (Anglo Saxon) links and is sometimes associated with the countries Denmark , Sweden and Norway within Scandinavia and has wide links to the Scandinavian Peninsula. Commonly recorded in Germany , where it is sometimes found with the aristocratic "von", England, Scotland and Ireland it has many possible origins.[2] The word "brook" derives from the Old English broc and appears in the Medieval predecessors of "Brooks" such as "Ate-Broc" and "Atte-Broc".[2][3][4] The surname arrived in North America from England in the mid-seventeenth century.[2]
Dunn (surname) The surname Dunn has several different origins. In some cases it is an Anglicised form of the Irish surname Ó Duinn, meaning "grandson of Donn"; the Gaelic Donn was originally a byname, meaning "brown-haired" or "chieftain". Another origin of the surname Dunn is from the Middle English dunn, meaning "dark-coloured"; this name originated as a nickname for one with dark hair or skin. Another origin is from a habitative name, derived from Dun in Angus, Scotland; this place name is derived from the Scottish Gaelic dùn, meaning "fort". Another origin is from the Gaelic donn, meaning "brown".[1]