Why are Brown and White common last names but Black isn't?

OK, this may seem like a funny rascist question but seriously! Was there some kind of equality bill passed about this last name? I know there is the occasional last name of Black, but how often is that?

Why are Brown and White common last names but Black isn't?
The surname of black, green, white, brown etc all come from medieval times before their were last names. You would call the person of your village "thomas the black" or "thomas the brown" to distinguish between people of the same geographical area who had the same name, by differentiating them by a description which described them (black vs brown hair). You could also differentiate them by the town they lived in (johanna of kingstown "kings-town", johanna redcliffe "red-cliff") or by geographical area's (eg bess kerr - kerr means swamp).


Brown and white are probably more common due to the fact that brown and white hair are more common (and brown eyes). As green eyes are less common in the general population, green eyes would have been an important characteristic to identify the particular person you would be looking for. Black hair although not uncommon, is not as prevalent as brown or white, which may explain why it isn't as popular a surname as brown or white.
Reply:I know several people who have the last name black. Also there are the actresses Karen Black and Shirley Temple Black, the comic actor Jack Black, and musician Clint Black.





I have relatives who are Green and know a family that is Blue. I have heard of Oranges, but have never heard of a Yellow, Red, Pink or Purple although I did meet a Mr. Stripe once and had an Aunt Dot. But Dot was her nickname and not her surname.





BACK TO YOUR QUESTION. There are quite a lot of people with the last name Black.
Reply:Do some research before you make claims like this. And, if you could choose a last name--and many freed slaves had to do just that--would you pick Black, knowing that there are many people like you who would hold that against them?
Reply:Jacob Black, Billy Black, Ephirium (sp?) Black. Read Twilight.
Reply:Who says it's not.


I know plenty of people with the last name Black.


Also extended names such as Blacksmith and Blackshere


Perhaps you should broaden your horizons.
Reply:Hellooooo Sirius Black, don't you read lol





I'm just kidding, but to answer you're I have no clue.


I do know someone with the last name Blackman.
Reply:I've heard the last name Black....Its not a race thing. Its just a name, the color that it means has nothing to do with anything.
Reply:I got some people in my family with the last name Black alot anyway it may just be were u at
Reply:My Great Grandmother's maiden name was Black.





You could ask the same for red, blue, yellow or orange? why aren't they common?
Reply:Black is a common last name.
Reply:Black actually is a common last name... I have people with the name 'Black' in my family.
Reply:Jack Black????
Reply:my boyfriends name is brown but he is brown lol i know what u are talking about it is funny lol
Reply:What about Jack Black??
Reply:What about yellow, LOL or #FF33ae?
Reply:that's a GRAY area

paper bush