Find out how popular the last name Arcus is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Arcus.

Arcus, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Arcus surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Arcus in America

Arcus is the 147095th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Arcus surname appeared 103 times in the 2000 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Arcus.

The history of the last name Arcus

The surname Arcus is believed to have originated from Latin, where "arcus" means "bow" or "arch." The use of it as a surname likely dates back to the Roman era, given the prominence of Latin in that time period. It is speculated that the surname was initially descriptive, potentially referring to someone who made bows or lived near a distinctive arch or bow-shaped land feature.

The name Arcus initially appeared in regions under Roman influence, particularly in areas that are modern-day Italy and parts of the Roman Empire's extensive reach. Old records suggest similar spellings, such as Arcos or Arcis, which can be found sporadically across Roman and medieval manuscripts.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Arcus dates back to a 12th-century Italian document referring to a Giovanni de Arcus, who was a landowner in the region around Rome. The document, preserved in the Archivio di Stato di Roma, highlights Giovanni's contributions to a local church, marking him as a person of some influence.

By the 14th century, the Arcus surname had spread to other parts of Europe, including France and the Iberian Peninsula. In France, a notable mention is Pierre d'Arcus, born in 1365 and died in 1412, who was a knight recorded in the Chanson de Geste, a series of epic poems from that period detailing his bravery in battle.

In Spain, the surname evolved into variations such as Arcos. One notable figure is Fernando de Arcos, a 15th-century nobleman born in 1423 and known for his role in the Reconquista. His contributions are recorded in various Spanish chronicles detailing the reclaiming of territories from Moorish control.

During the Renaissance, the Arcus surname started appearing in academic and clerical records. An example is Luca Arcus, an Italian priest and scholar born in 1502, who authored several theological treatises. His works, stored in the Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana, reflect the scholarly achievements associated with the Arcus name.

In the 17th century, the surname made its way to the British Isles. Sir Thomas Arcus, born in 1597 and died in 1660, was an English merchant and philanthropist known for his trade ventures with the East Indies. His records appear in the annals of the British East India Company and highlight the global reach of the Arcus family by this period.

The Arcus surname persisted through the centuries, maintaining a presence in various countries. Each instance reflects a unique contribution to local histories and cultures, underscoring the lasting legacy of the name. These historical mentions provide a glimpse into the rich heritage and enduring significance of the Arcus surname.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Arcus

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Arcus.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Arcus was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Arcus was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Arcus, please contact us.

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