A corruption of Breck (which see). We cut the following, on this name, from a newspaper: A certain college-professor, who had assembled his class at the commencement of the term, was reading over the list of names to see that all were present. It chanced that one of the number was unknown to the professor, having just entered the class. "What is your name, sir?" asked the professor, looking through his spectacles. "You are a brick," was the startling reply. "Sir," said the professor, half starting out of his chair at the supposed impertinence, but not quite sure that he understood him correctly, "sir, I did not exactly understand your answer." "You are a brick," was again the composed reply. "This is intolerable," said the professor, his face reddening; "beware, young man, how you attempt to insult me." "Insult you !" said the student, in turn astonished. "How have I done it?" "Did you not say I was a brick?" returned the professor, with stifled indignation. "No, sir; you asked me my name, and I answered your question. My name is U. R. A. Brick--Uriah Reynolds Anderson Brick." "Ah, indeed," murmured the professor, sinking back into his seat in confusion--"it was a misconception on my part. Will you commence the lesson, Mr. Brick?"

Arthur, William (1857) An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. New York: Sheldon, Blakeman. Public Domain.