Abrams
A patronymic surname derived from the given name Abraham, meaning "father of multitudes" in Hebrew.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 29,683 Americans carry the last name Abrams. That puts it at #1,387 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 8.66 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 11,547 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Abrams surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
30K
1 in 11,547
Census rank
#1,387
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
8.7
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
26K
uncommon in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 25,534 bearers of the surname Abrams in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 8.66 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 1387th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Abrams, the largest self-reported group is White at 71.6%. The next largest groups are Black (22.1%) and Hispanic (3.2%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Abrams
The surname Abrams is of English origin and can be traced back to the 12th century. It derives from the medieval given name Abraham, which was originally a Hebrew name meaning "father of many". The surname likely began as a patronymic, referring to the son of Abraham.
In early records, the name appeared with various spellings, such as Abram, Abarams, and Abrahams. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name is found in the Pipe Rolls of Sussex from 1195, which mention a William Abram. The Hundred Rolls of 1273 also include references to individuals with the name Abram.
The Abrams surname is linked to several places in England, including Abrams in Lancashire and Abrams Farm in Cambridgeshire. These place names likely influenced the spelling variations of the surname over time.
Notable individuals with the surname Abrams throughout history include:
1. Murial Abrams (c. 1512-1580), an English landowner and benefactor from Cambridgeshire.
2. Sir Thomas Abrams (1612-1685), an English lawyer and politician who served as a Member of Parliament.
3. John Abrams (1677-1744), an English architect and builder who designed several churches in London.
4. Sarah Abrams (1740-1820), a British Quaker minister and writer known for her religious works.
5. Leroy Abrams (1892-1956), an American jazz drummer and bandleader active in the early 20th century.
While the surname Abrams has roots in medieval England, it has since spread to various parts of the world through migration and has become a globally recognized name.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Abrams
Among Census respondents with the surname Abrams, the largest self-reported group is White at 71.6%. The next largest groups are Black (22.1%) and Hispanic (3.2%).
The bar chart below shows how Abrams bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Abrams surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White71.6%
- Black or African American22.1%
- Hispanic or Latino3.2%
- Two or more races1.9%
- American Indian and Alaska Native0.6%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.6%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Abrams surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #1,387 | #1,387 | 0.0% |
| Count | 25,534 | 25,534 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 8.66 | 8.66 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Abrams bearers went from 25,534 to 25,534 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #1,387 to #1,387.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Abrams
FAQ
Abrams surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Abrams?
The surname Abrams holds position #1,387 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 29,683 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 8.66 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Abrams surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Abrams, the largest self-reported group is White at 71.6%. The next largest groups are Black (22.1%) and Hispanic (3.2%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.