Brough as a Baby Name. Meaning and Origin of Brough

What is the meaning of the name Brough ?

The baby name Brough is a Male name , 1 syllables long and is pronounced BRUFF (/brʌf/) — common in northern England,BROW (/braʊ/) — alternative pronunciation,BROH (/broʊ/) — less common variant.

Brough is English in Origin.

Brough is an English and Scots toponymic name derived from Old English burh (“fort, fortified place”) that passed through Middle English burgh/borough, with the modern spelling found in northern place-names. In northern dialects and in Orkney/Shetland, “brough” also denotes an Iron Age stone tower or broch, reinforcing the sense of defense.

As a surname it appears in medieval records across Yorkshire, Cumbria, and the Borders; transferred to given-name use sporadically from the 18th–19th centuries in Britain and the anglophone world, often to honor a family surname. Notable bearers include the clergyman Brough Maltby (1826–1894) and journalist Brough Scott (b. 1943). The name conveys meanings of “stronghold,” “protection,” and steadfastness. Variants and cognates include Burgh, Borough, Burrough/Burroughs, Burrow(s), and the phonetic Bruff; related place-derived forms include Brougham. Usage as a first name remains rare and distinctive, making Brough a concise, rugged choice with deep Anglo-Scots roots.

⚙ Brough does not appear in any of the birth registries or name datasets we track. This usually means it's either extremely rare, a regional/traditional name not captured by official statistics, or a brand-new coinage. Use it knowing your child will almost certainly be the only one in the room.