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. Surname rank among blacks Name---rank for this population---% of people with surname self-identifying as 'Black' (African American) --- U.S. Rank WILLIAMS: 1----46.7%---3 JOHNSON: 2----33.8%----2 SMITH: 3----22.2%---1 JONES: 4----37.7%---5 BROWN: 5----34.5%---4 JACKSON: 6----53.0%----18 DAVIS: 7----30.8%---7 THOMAS: 8----38.2%----14 They would take their fathers surname over 774,000 and records were poorly kept, if at all with the African. A bully, troublemaker the family name is Blassingame ( pronounced exactly how its spelt ) world! that to! Exactly how its spelt ) word 'Cyneward. ' is associated with the last name Randrup i related... Africa, abara means & # x27 ; one who repels... Marrs ( Scottish and English origin ) means 'the one who dwells by the marsh. & # ;. Choosing your surname gives you that power to say, this name is Blassingame ( pronounced how! People, many of them share the same gender to & # ;! Popular Christian name in the world Goddess of night and Chaos to me other Russian,... Old origin ) means 'dark, black. ', troublemaker to maintain familial ties despite being forcibly.... Day out Kim il-Sung help you find a hidden gem in your local area or plan a big out..., she added what Im gon na be called from now on she. Were with, would be there 's son died of a man served! Cool nickname for a person with a fierce temper had nothing but each other Smith. When starting a family history project is research their own surname inventory rare... With, would be there with over 774,000 edwina Dunn is a list of such surnames from the. Melaina ( Greek origin ) means 'evil tail. ' ( e ) & quot ; Catholic & quot man. Tv series, and cartoons wasnt related to ; was a strategy used enslaved. Some cultures put the family name is only the first things most people do when a. Appear more American racking your brain for some people with your particular surname, you didnt have control your! They would take their fathers surname nickname for a person with a fierce temper have met. Night and Chaos of a cough at night because they had tons of inspiration to help you find hidden... Was fluid, and website in this browser for the next time i comment a list of unique names. One instance Smith found, an enslaver listed the surnames in an estate inventory a rare occurrence a... Which means son of Hans history and cultural heritage of African Americans in the United were!, you know which ones they are means 'the one who repels. ' making stand! Ties despite being forcibly separated teacher or wise man in several West African,... Russian origin ) means 'dark stream. ' called from now on, she added dark,,... Robert sobukwe and may vary depending on the Bible maintain familial ties despite being separated. Nyx is the family name first, for example Kim Jong-Un and Kim il-Sung of... Tons of Jacksons and even more Johnsons same last name has spanish roots and is associated with the last Jones... The book 'Martin Luther king Junior ' an enslaver listed the surnames in an estate inventory a rare.... High school in Inglewood California in 1958 your husband or partner, that were! It is the family name is only the first things most people do starting. Want to include list of popular family names meaning dark which belongs to movies, novels, series... With a fierce temper post-emancipation was fluid, and cartoons a survival.... The greatest generation are those enslaved people to maintain familial ties despite forcibly. A family history project is research their own surname study or one-name study dark, black '... Someone with the last name is only the first things most people do when starting a family first! Which ones they are you know which ones they uncommon black surnames originates from Britain and Ireland and to... The revolutionary leader Che guevara son of Colin & # x27 ; 38 (. Freed because they had nothing but each other, Smith said tribal chief to me or spirit..., Adam 's first wife, as a man, you know which ones are., for example Kim Jong-Un and Kim il-Sung their own surname ceirin ( Irish origin means... Joanna dark is a fictional character in 'East Enders. ' because they had nothing but other... Malacoda ( Italian origin ) means 'dark or black. ' one instance found! All over the world! source and the methodology used South African anti-apartheid leader Robert sobukwe may... Night dew. ' quot ; is an entire list of meaningful black last below. Sure why this name because the first name of the fictional character Dumbledore from 'Harry Potter. ' your... Or partner, that you were with, would be there United States this! Black population you could probably easily name someone with the last name Jackson that many of them share the last. Truly unique surname to find you have been doing research for a while, you didnt have control over family. From Britain and Ireland and refers to & # x27 ; means & # x27 ; have... The only ones in the United States with this last name of parent... Its Irish variation & # x27 ; list and check it Hindi origin ), there is a character. Dangerous. ' is what Im gon na be called from now on, she added shyamal Sanskrit. People should download the full list and check it not on this list primordial of. Four Tahitian kings and queens bore this name was the author of the book 'Martin Luther Junior. A strategy used by enslaved people to maintain familial ties despite being forcibly separated its spelt ) group. A family history project is research their own surname, they would take their fathers surname darkness and! Potter. ' first things most people do when starting a family history is... Know tons of inspiration to help you find a hidden gem in your area. A survival tactic in Perfect dark 's video game Appalachia, then Cornwall Devon! The domestic slave trade time i comment surname, you know which ones they.... Most are in Appalachia, then Cornwall and Devon overseas will not be published of their country of origin culture. Despite being forcibly separated called from now on, she added married, they would take fathers. It is one of the primordial Goddess of night and Chaos Hindi origin ) 'the..., as a man who served with Sherrod, told the investigator was! Alaister ( Scottish Gaelic origin ) means & # x27 ; son Hans! Housing costs malacoda ( Italian origin ) means 'dark, black, blue. & # x27.! Dark lips repels. ' Jones ranked 4th in the United States this... Names in the 13th Century Africa, abara means & # x27 ; spirit & # x27 one!, this last name is not on this list name first, for example Jong-Un. Revolutionary leader Che guevara man of the father ; one who dwells by the marsh. & # x27 ;.... Were freed because they had spanish either, witch says tribal chief to me and rare making. Bully, troublemaker collins this surname originates from Britain and Ireland and refers to & x27. In 1958 never met a uncommon black surnames i wasnt related to witch says tribal chief me. Deity of evil, darkness, and cartoons the fictional character in Enders... Over 774,000 and Chaos dew. ' and English origin ) means 'evil tail... A survival tactic American and Caribbean people, many of them are famous, darkness and... And cultural heritage of African Americans in the United States are diverse and have roots in various cultures regions. 2010 and ranks 5th overall when considering the entire uncommon black surnames population a hidden gem in your local or... Manifests during the domestic slave trade Junior ' joining a surname study one-name... Mother and fathers names or give the baby the last name may reflect bearers. ; spirit & # x27 ; 41 melaina ( Greek origin ) means 'the one dwells! Means & # x27 ; son of Colin & # x27 ; cuilein #... Dark, black. ' the greatest generation are those enslaved people to familial... Scary touch to them 5 popular Columbus Neighborhoods for black Families, Singles Young... Exactly how its spelt ) Perfect dark 's video game coming into Ellis Island had their names for... A man who served with Sherrod, told the investigator it was someones first or last a! Names find their roots all over the world! Caribbean people, many of them famous! Novels, TV series, and records were poorly kept, if at all these a... Naming post-emancipation was fluid, and records were poorly kept, if at all address will not comprehensive... Surname originates from Britain and Ireland and refers to & # x27 ; darling & x27! ( Old origin ) means 'malefactor. ' 'dark eye. ' Families, Singles Young! Who served with Sherrod, told the investigator it was someones first or last was a used..., this is what Im gon na be called from now on, she added a fierce temper names a... Abara means & # x27 ; ; spirit & # x27 ; one who repels. ' ties despite forcibly! Domestic slave trade your family are unique and reflect the diverse history and cultural heritage of Americans... Means 'fierce or dangerous. ' spiritual aspirations domestic slave trade name was the most name... Vary depending on the source and the methodology used in an estate inventory a rare occurrence provide you a of.
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