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

Arliss, 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 Arliss surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Arliss in America

Arliss is the 157234th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Arliss surname appeared 103 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Arliss.

We can also compare 2010 data for Arliss to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Arliss

The surname Arliss is of English origin, emerging during the medieval period in the county of Somerset. It is believed to have derived from the Old English words "ærles" meaning "grounds" or "meadows," and the suffix "-ing" which denoted belonging or association. This suggests that the original bearers of the name may have lived or worked on lands characterized by meadows or grassy fields.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Arliss can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Somerset from 1268, where it appears as "Arles." This document, which recorded financial transactions and tax records, indicates that the name was already established in the region during the 13th century.

In the 14th century, the name appeared in various forms such as "Arles," "Arlys," and "Arlyss" in various records, including the Subsidy Rolls of Somerset from 1327. This suggests that the spelling was not yet standardized and was subject to regional variations.

During the 16th century, the name began to take on its modern spelling of "Arliss." One notable bearer of the name was John Arliss, a merchant who lived in Bristol in the late 1500s. His will, dated 1594, provides valuable insight into the life and affairs of an Arliss during the Elizabethan era.

In the 17th century, the Arliss family appears to have been well-established in Somerset, with records showing several members of the family owning land and properties in the region. One prominent figure was Thomas Arliss (1628-1689), a landowner and magistrate in the town of Bridgwater.

As the Arliss family grew and spread throughout England, they left their mark in various fields. In the 18th century, Samuel Arliss (1737-1808) was a notable clockmaker and watchmaker in London, known for his intricate and precise timepieces.

The 19th century saw the emergence of George Arliss (1868-1946), a renowned English actor and author who achieved great success on both stage and screen. He was knighted in 1925 for his contributions to the arts and is considered one of the most influential actors of his time.

Another notable bearer of the name was Sir John Arliss (1914-1986), a British diplomat who served as the United Kingdom's Ambassador to the United Nations from 1975 to 1979. His career in diplomacy spanned several decades and included postings in various countries around the world.

Throughout its history, the surname Arliss has been carried by individuals from diverse backgrounds and professions, leaving an indelible mark on the cultural and societal fabric of England and beyond.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Arliss

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

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 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Arliss 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.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Arliss has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

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 Arliss was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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