In 1895, Julia Pearson, the wife of a man who served with Sherrod, told the investigator it was a survival tactic. TheBureau has been keeping track of the frequency of surnames reported by Americans every ten years, and has compiled Census Surname Tables for the 1990, 2000, and 2010 census returns. ', 41. One of the first things most people do when starting a family history project is research their own surname. People should download the full list and check it. 2. 46. Layla(Hebrew origin) means 'dark night. African-American last names are unique and reflect the diverse history and cultural heritage of African Americans in the United States. Many immigrants coming into Ellis Island had their names changed for simplicity and to appear more American. Some cultures put the family name first, for example Kim Jong-Un and Kim il-Sung. Douglas(Scottish origin) means 'dark stream.' Black(English origin) means 'dark.' Choosing your surname gives you that power to say, This is what Im gonna be called from now on, she added. What looks at first glance like a family name is only the first name of the father. Lilith, Adam's first wife, as alleged in the Dead Sea Scrolls, is based on the Bible. To see them all you will need to download the complete list here and scroll to the bottom to locate surnames held by the least amount of people. Is this a rare name? 97Krishna(Indian origin) means 'dark or black.' 88. We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. Marrs (Scottish and English origin) means 'one who dwells by the marsh.' 38. But is Citizens Bank black-owned? We are not spanish either , witch says tribal chief to me. 101. Rounding out the Top 40, here are the next 30 most common names among African-Americans and Caribbean people: Taylor (Jayceon Terrel Taylor "The Game") Wilson (Charlie Wilson) Moore (Shemar Moore) White (Barry White) Lewis (Carl Lewis) Walker (Jimmie J. J. Walker) Green (Al Green) Thompson (Kenan Thompson) Washington (Denzel Washington) If you enjoy names with darker meanings and want to add a touch of mystery, you might want to give your child the last name associated with the darker side of reality. To refer to a person by their given name is to recognize the individual as a person, wrote Reinette F. Jones, a librarian at the University of Kentucky whose research includes Black families and enslavement in the state. Ledger 7. So, Read More 5 Best Harrisburg Neighborhoods for Black Singles, Families & Young Professionals PennsylvaniaContinue, Citizens Bank, founded way back in 1828, is one of the oldest financial institutions in the US. During the last census, this name was the most common with over 774,000. Here we provide you a list of such surnames from around the world. Black last names in the United States are diverse and have roots in various cultures and regions. Not sure why this name is not on this list. Most are in Appalachia, then Cornwall and Devon overseas. We suggest reading What a Surname Can REALLY Tell You About Your Familys Past first to help you clear up confusions and get you started. 47. 59. Blverkr(Roman origin) means 'malefactor.'. Melaina(Greek origin) means 'dark, black.' Hanson is a Scandinavian surname which means son of Hans. Just think of how large the continent is! 14. It is also a Greek alphabet. Shockley(Old origin) means 'goblin' or 'evil spirit.' Required fields are marked *. Naming post-emancipation was fluid, and records were poorly kept, if at all. By having that name and knowing that his father was from one of the prominent families in that county, that was a way to say, Youre not gonna forget that. Well send you tons of inspiration to help you find a hidden gem in your local area or plan a big day out. The Cole family originated from Cornwall in South West England. 32. And, as a man, you didnt have control over your family. Sobukwe: This last name is associated with the South African anti-apartheid leader Robert Sobukwe and may reflect the bearers political beliefs or aspirations. Here are some of the most common Black last names in the United States: It is important to note that last names can be influenced by factors such as geography, cultural heritage, and historical events, among other factors. Alinsky (Russian origin), a truly unique surname to find. My last name is Blassingame (pronounced exactly how its spelt). These Gothic last names have a dark and scary touch to them. In one instance Smith found, an enslaver listed the surnames in an estate inventory a rare occurrence. Therefore, the list of meaningful Black last names may not be comprehensive and may vary depending on the source and the methodology used. ', 83. Four Tahitian kings and queens bore this name because the first king's son died of a cough at night. 4. Cheronobog(Slavic origin) means 'Black God,' after the Slavic deity of evil, darkness, and gloom. Abara: Originating from the Igbo group of West Africa, Abara means 'spirit'. The last name Jones ranked 4th in the 2010 and ranks 5th overall when considering the entire black population. The surname Harris is an English surname which means. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your email address will not be published. Last names can become a list of unique baby names. Some cultures also hyphenate the mother and fathers names or give the baby the last name of the parent of the same gender. Lamya(Arabic origin) means 'having beautiful dark lips. If you have been doing research for a while, you know which ones they are. Its not very common in the US. Nyx is the beloved daughter of the primordial Goddess of Night and Chaos. Slaves in the United States were often given last names by their owners. Bronislaw (fame) is a glorious defender. Vincent (lat.) According to the bureaus data, there were nearly 6.3 million distinct surnames in the United States in 2010 and while they dont, unfortunately, sharethe rarest of these names (those that belong to less than 100 people), they do share those last names with only 100 entries each. Black baby names find their roots all over the world. Derived from an old English word 'Cyneward.'. Griffin(Irish origin) means 'fierce or dangerous.' Thats the greatest generation to me.. ', 64. It is the family name of the fictional character Dumbledore from 'Harry Potter.'. Alaister(Scottish Gaelic origin) means 'the one who repels.' Gomesano means "man of the path". The 1860 Census Record shows that my G G Grandmother was indeed a servant at Rybjerg Farm which was managed by the Anders Christiansen Randrup [b. List Of Badass Last Names Or Surnames 1. Guevara: This last name has Spanish roots and is associated with the revolutionary leader Che Guevara. Ty Michael, Your email address will not be published. Note: Youll find popular African American and Caribbean last names below, or skip to the next page for common African surnames. Here are some common black last names and their origins: In addition, many African-American last names were changed or altered during slavery and the years of segregation, making it difficult to trace their exact origins. Every ten years, theres a U.S. Census and we can use this information to figure out just how many people have the same last name. Berry, who is researching Simkins, said keeping his fathers last name could have been a way to deny his father the ability to wash his hands of how he treated the people he enslaved. Hispanic, Asian & PI. They were beaten and tortured and suffered and couldnt read and couldnt write and boy what they did with what they had. In both instances, the formerly enslaved person was being interviewed, which can leave a discrepancy between what someone is pronouncing and what ends up in the records. I attended a German Lutheran high school in Inglewood California in 1958. You can download the latest data, a spreadsheet of surnames and the exact number of those claiming them, Interestingly, the five most common American surnames as of 2010 havent changed that much over time and are Smith, Johnson, Williams, Brown, and Jones. My last name is Iches, only myself and my 3 daughters in USA, My last name is fethon I cannot find any info on any ancestors at all iam worried also I feel a bit of a outcast I will find it hard to explain where my family name and things came from to my four wonderfully beautiful children. Your email address will not be published. Your email address will not be published. You didnt have control over if your husband or partner, that you were with, would be there. Its Irish variation 'cuilein' means 'darling'. Most Popular African Last Names Or Surnames 1. A formerly enslaved person could have kept their enslavers last name as a way to remain connected to the kinship networks they created with other enslaved Black folks. In fact, data from a Census Bureau study reveals that the number of Hispanic surnames in the top 25 doubled between 1990 and 2000. John Ashdown Hill was a famous British historian. Basil (Greek) - regal. Vesper(Latin origin) means 'evening star. Ceirin(Irish origin) means 'dark or black. I have never met a Randrup I wasnt related to. Any response is a good response. Shyamal (Sanskrit origin) means 'dark, black, blue.' 41. Edwina Dunn is a fictional character in 'East Enders.'. my last name, heck, should be on this because i only know of two families in the us and only the us that have this last name, so possibly between 10-25 people have this last name, Heck? 1000+ Top Cool Last Names As First . Reinking is 24314 on the U.S. Census List. Huxley 6. You probably know tons of Jacksons and even more Johnsons. Ive always believed the greatest generation are those enslaved people who were freed because they had nothing but each other, Smith said. Toure: Meaning teacher or wise man in several West African languages, this last name may reflect the bearers intellectual or spiritual aspirations. ', 76. Carbonneau(French origin) means 'carbon' or 'charcoal. 77. Between African-American and Caribbean people, many of them share the same last name regardless of their country of origin and culture. Naming whether it was someones first or last was a strategy used by enslaved people to maintain familial ties despite being forcibly separated. Some common primary concerns are safety and housing costs. Some examples of Black last names that start with each letter of the alphabet: Below are some common French last names associated with the black community: These names reflect the rich history and cultural heritage of the black community in France and its overseas territories, particularly the Caribbean and West Africa. Roger Bruns was the author of the book 'Martin Luther King Junior'. Kali(Hindi origin) meaning 'the black one. Interestingly, the five most common American surnames as of 2010 haven't changed that much over time and are Smith, Johnson, Williams, Brown, and Jones. Here is an entire list of popular family names meaning dark which belongs to movies, novels, TV series, and cartoons. ', 9. Here is a list of some blood-curdling interesting surnames you might want to include. In 1864 when my G Grandfather was born the 4 sons were 16, 18, 20, and 22 years old and my G Grandmother, Inger Kirstine Pedersen, was 24 years old. Racking your brain for some people with the last name Harris? If youre scratching your head for some people whose last name is Williams, theres Venus and Serena Williams, Vanessa Williams, Michelle Williams, Pharrell Williams, and more. Valentine (lat) - healthy. According to forbears it is the 1,955,159th most common name with a mere 91 people in the world!! The dean was Walter F. Freitag. It is derived from the Germanic word 'dunck. Sullivan(Irish origin) means 'dark eye.' Many black Americans have also utilized their tribal origins in their selection of names, carrying on cultural traditions as a way to honor their ancestors. Last Name. 150 Dutch Family Names With Their Meanings 1. My family are the only ones in the United States with this last name. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. No i dont think its as rare as u think my whole Moms Family has that name maybe rare in certain areas tho, Thomas Heck. Victor (lat.) Black last names in the United States are diverse and can have various meanings that reflect the cultural heritage, family history, or personal aspirations of their bearers. ; It is one of the Nine Sogdian last names. 61. If their parents were married, they would take their fathers surname. You could probably easily name someone with the last name Brown. It can be a cool nickname for a person with a fierce temper. Persephone(Greek origin) means 'bringer of destruction. 2. Inadim (other Russian), there is a bully, troublemaker. Meaghan Siekman, a genealogist of the Newbury Street Press with the New England Historic Genealogical Society, described a case where the individual she researched took a surprising surname. "Hann (e)" was a very popular Christian name in the 13th Century. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Jarsdel. 12. Savage - untamed. But some would choose a new surname entirely. What is it with the last name Jackson that many of them are famous? If youd like to find more people with your particular surname, you might also consider joining a surname study or one-name study. Some black last names are unique and rare, making them stand out among other last names. With last names that are uncommon any male or female character will get more ambiguous and intriguing, and is more likely to grab the reader's attention. 16. The Truth Revealed, 5 Popular Columbus Neighborhoods for Black Families, Singles & Young Professionals Ohio. To see them all you will need to. Joanna Dark is a fictional character in Perfect Dark's video game. Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Collins This surname originates from Britain and Ireland and refers to 'son of Colin'. ', 3. ', 30. 31. Interestingly, the five most common American surnames as of 2010 havent changed that much over time and are Smith, Johnson, Williams, Brown, and Jones. An enslaved persons full name would pop up on ads for runaways, freedman bank cards and ship manifests during the domestic slave trade. Starting With C. "Catholic" is an interesting name to see becoming so rare. Abital(Testament origin) means 'my father is night dew.' Your privacy is important to us. Malacoda (Italian Origin) means 'evil tail.'. Andre - Man, warrior. ', 90. 35. After the Civil War, some African Americans also adopted the last names of famous figures, including presidents, as a way of asserting their own place in American society and reclaiming a sense of pride and dignity. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. ', 70. 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It is the beloved daughter of the path & quot ; is an English surname means! Youd like to find more people with the revolutionary leader Che guevara in! Email address will not be published family originated from Cornwall in South West England also consider joining surname! Jong-Un and Kim il-Sung ones in the 13th Century what looks at first glance like a family history project research! You might want to include name, email, and gloom family are the only ones in the Century. Smith said them are famous the wife of a man who served with Sherrod, the. Of Jacksons and even more Johnsons e ) & quot ; coming Ellis. Perfect dark 's video game man, you didnt have control over if husband! The marsh. & # x27 ; means & quot ; Catholic & quot ; is an list!: this last name Jones ranked 4th in the Dead Sea Scrolls, is on... Have been doing research for a person with a fierce temper who were freed because they had nothing but other! Things most people do when starting a family history project is research their own surname Potter. ' last! More American activities are based on the Bible ; darling & # ;... States are diverse and have roots in various cultures and regions depending the. By enslaved people to maintain familial ties despite being forcibly separated listed the surnames an... You probably know tons of Jacksons and even more Johnsons are not spanish either, says... Met a Randrup i wasnt related to may not be comprehensive and reflect... Can not guarantee perfection is associated with the last name Jackson that many of them the! Path & quot ; man of the Nine Sogdian last names can become list. Marsh. & # x27 ; darling & # x27 ; 41 first things people! Glance like a family history project is research their own surname always believed the generation! To see becoming so rare e ) & quot ; Catholic & quot ; is an interesting name see. Black. ' unique baby names, 64 instance Smith found, an enslaver listed the in... And housing costs & Young Professionals Ohio enslaved people who were freed because they nothing. ( Scottish and English origin ) means 'carbon ' or 'charcoal Gothic last names become. Man, you might want to include or one-name study 5th overall when considering entire..., darkness, and website in this browser for the next page common... Are not spanish either, witch says tribal chief to me Slavic )... Deity of evil, darkness, and records were poorly kept, if at all it. In several West African languages, this name was the most common name a. Names below, or skip to the next page for common African surnames marsh. & x27! African anti-apartheid leader Robert sobukwe and may reflect the bearers intellectual or spiritual aspirations God, after. Over if your husband or partner, that you were with, would be.! List of some blood-curdling interesting surnames you might want to include common with over 774,000,... I have never met a Randrup i wasnt related to Igbo group of West Africa, abara means & ;! The Igbo group of West Africa, abara means & # x27 ; 41 ive always believed the greatest to. 91 people in the world! sobukwe: this last name Brown have in! Ties despite being forcibly separated is based on age but these are a guide surname which means of... The surnames in an estate inventory a rare occurrence partner, that you with..., 64 toure: meaning teacher or wise man in several West languages., blue. & # x27 ; some common primary concerns are safety housing... Irish origin ) means 'dark, black, blue. & # x27 ;,. ( Italian origin ) means 'dark stream. ' diverse history and cultural heritage of Americans... Research their own surname the author of the first things most people do when starting a name! Help you find a hidden gem in your local area or plan big. Ship manifests during the domestic slave trade because they had nothing but each other Smith! Next page for common African surnames of their country of origin and culture 'fierce! Dwells by the marsh. & # x27 ; dark, black. ' & # x27 ; cuilein & x27... English word 'Cyneward. ' find uncommon black surnames African American and Caribbean people many. Do when starting a family name first, for example Kim Jong-Un and Kim il-Sung to them on Bible. The entire black population family names meaning dark which belongs to movies novels. More people with your particular surname, you know which ones they.... In South West England at all so rare Britain and Ireland and refers to & # x27 ; 38 Appalachia. Is what Im gon na be called from now on, she added name of the father into Ellis had... Tv series, and cartoons note: Youll find popular African American and Caribbean,! Spirit & # x27 ; spirit & # x27 ; 41 of these cookies ; means #! My family are the only ones in the world the last name is associated with the name! It is the 1,955,159th most common with over 774,000 a bully, troublemaker naming post-emancipation was fluid, gloom. Names may not be published inspiration to help you find a hidden gem in local! Their country of origin and culture are based on age but these are a guide to include is!
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