There seem to be quite a number of 'Browns'from Sweden listed in the British census's. Can anyone tell me if 'Brown' is actually a name used in Sweden or if there is a Swedish equivalent. I suspect that these Swedish Browns may have adopted an english name - is there anywhere that this would be formally recorded particularly for Merchant Seamen?

No Brown is not a Swedish name. The closest equivalent is probably Braun, which is the name of a originally German noble family introduced in the Swedish House of Nobility in 1611, but they would hardly have become common seamen. There are some families called Brun (ie the colour Brown in Swedish), but I think it is much more likely your seamen adopted the name as they moved to Britain. Before 1900 most Swedes were called by their patronymic names, but would often start using a different name if they were employed in trades or moved into town to or to another part of the country.

By the way, isn't Brown is a typically English name, like Smith or Wright?

Thank you for responding to my message board entry. Yes, Brown is a common english name. I suspect that you are correct in thinking that my Brown adopted te name when he moved to Britain. By the way, my 'Charles Brown's' father was called Gustave. Am I rigt in saying that Charles' surname might have been Gustavson?

Yes, his patronymic name would be Gustavsson or Gustafsson, either spelling would be correct. "Charles" would be Karl or Carl in Swedish, or maybe he used the more casual versions Kalle or Calle.

Thank you for that. Do you know if there is any way that I can trace him without visiting Sweden? I guess I'm probably unlikely to ever find anything more out. He was born in Stockholm abt. 1845 by the way.