Arness
Of English origin, potentially referring to locations with a meadow or grassy area.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 240 Americans carry the last name Arness. That puts it at #87,335 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.07 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 1,428,143 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Arness 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
240
1 in 1,428,143
Census rank
#87,335
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
213
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 213 bearers of the surname Arness in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.07 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 87335th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Arness, the largest self-reported group is White at 91.5%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (4.2%) and Two or More Races (2.4%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Arness
The surname ARNESS has its origins in the country of England, dating back to the medieval period. It is believed to be derived from the Old English word "aern," meaning "eagle's nest" or "eagle's dwelling place." This suggests that the name may have originally referred to a person who lived near an eagle's nest or a place known for its abundance of eagles.
The earliest recorded instances of the name ARNESS can be traced back to the 13th century in various historical records and documents. One notable reference is found in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, which listed a John de Arnesse as a landowner in the county of Lincolnshire. Additionally, the name appeared in the Subsidy Rolls of 1327, indicating its presence in various parts of England during that time.
In the 14th century, the name ARNESS was also found in various spellings, such as Arneys, Arneys, and Arnes, reflecting the variations in spelling and pronunciation common in that era. One notable bearer of the name was Sir John Arnes, a knight who fought alongside King Edward III in the Battle of Crécy during the Hundred Years' War in 1346.
Throughout the centuries, the ARNESS surname has been linked to several notable individuals. In the 16th century, Richard Arness (1532-1599) was a prominent merchant and alderman in the city of London. In the 17th century, William Arness (1628-1689) was a Puritan minister and author who served as a chaplain during the English Civil War.
Another notable figure was James Arness (1923-2011), an American actor best known for his portrayal of Marshal Matt Dillon in the long-running television series "Gunsmoke." Arness was born James King Aurness in Minnesota, and his family's surname was originally ARNESS before being anglicized.
The ARNESS surname has also been associated with various place names throughout England, such as Arneshill in Wiltshire and Arneside in Lancashire. These place names likely derived their names from the same Old English root as the surname, further reinforcing the connection between the name and its geographical origins.
While the ARNESS surname is not among the most common surnames in the English-speaking world, it has a rich history and has been borne by individuals from various walks of life, including knights, merchants, ministers, and actors. Its origins can be traced back to medieval England, where it was likely associated with the concept of an eagle's nest or dwelling place.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Arness
Among Census respondents with the surname Arness, the largest self-reported group is White at 91.5%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (4.2%) and Two or More Races (2.4%).
The bar chart below shows how Arness 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 Arness surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White91.5%
- Hispanic or Latino4.2%
- Two or more races2.4%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Arness 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 | #87,335 | #87,335 | 0.0% |
| Count | 213 | 213 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.07 | 0.07 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Arness bearers went from 213 to 213 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #87,335 to #87,335.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Arness
FAQ
Arness surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Arness?
The surname Arness holds position #87,335 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 240 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.07 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Arness surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Arness, the largest self-reported group is White at 91.5%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (4.2%) and Two or More Races (2.4%). 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.