Ackland
Derived from a place name meaning "oak-tree land," referring to a person who lived near an oak woodland.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 514 Americans carry the last name Ackland. That puts it at #48,060 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.15 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 666,837 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Ackland 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
514
1 in 666,837
Census rank
#48,060
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
440
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 440 bearers of the surname Ackland in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.15 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 48060th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Ackland, the largest self-reported group is White at 95.7%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (1.8%) and Asian/Pacific Islander (1.4%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Ackland
The surname Ackland has its origins in England, tracing back to the medieval period. It is believed to be a locational name, derived from the place name "Acland" in Devon, England. The name itself is thought to be a combination of the Old English words "ac" meaning "oak" and "land" signifying an area or estate.
The earliest recorded mention of the Ackland name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it is listed as "Aclant." This entry suggests that the name was already established in Devon by the time of the Norman Conquest in 1066.
In the 13th century, the spelling of the name evolved to "Ackland," reflecting the local pronunciation in Devon. During this time, the Ackland family held lands and manors in the area, establishing themselves as a prominent local landholding family.
One notable individual bearing the Ackland surname was Sir Hugh Ackland (c. 1390-1456), a member of the English gentry from Devon. He served as a member of Parliament for Devon in 1429 and held various official positions in the county.
Another prominent figure was Sir John Ackland (1552-1620), an English soldier and Member of Parliament. He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth I for his military service and played a role in the colonization of Virginia in the early 17th century.
In the 18th century, Sir Thomas Dyke Acland (1722-1794) was a prominent landowner and politician from Devon. He served as a Member of Parliament and was known for his advocacy of agricultural improvements and support for the arts and sciences.
The Ackland name also has connections to academic institutions. Thomas Gilbank Ackland (1782-1867) was an English philanthropist who donated funds to establish the Ackland Art Museum at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Another notable figure was Sir Roger Ackland (1811-1880), a British naval officer and explorer. He served in the Royal Navy and led several expeditions to the Arctic regions, making significant contributions to the exploration of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago.
Throughout its history, the Ackland surname has been closely associated with Devon, England, where it originated and maintained a strong presence among the local gentry and landholding families for centuries.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Ackland
Among Census respondents with the surname Ackland, the largest self-reported group is White at 95.7%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (1.8%) and Asian/Pacific Islander (1.4%).
The bar chart below shows how Ackland 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 Ackland surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White95.7%
- Hispanic or Latino1.8%
- Asian and Pacific Islander1.4%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Ackland 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 | #48,060 | #48,060 | 0.0% |
| Count | 440 | 440 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.15 | 0.15 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Ackland bearers went from 440 to 440 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #48,060 to #48,060.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Ackland
FAQ
Ackland surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Ackland?
The surname Ackland holds position #48,060 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 514 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.15 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Ackland surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Ackland, the largest self-reported group is White at 95.7%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (1.8%) and Asian/Pacific Islander (1.4%). 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.