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

Arrowsmith, 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 Arrowsmith surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Arrowsmith in America

Arrowsmith is the 23222nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Arrowsmith surname appeared 1,098 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 Arrowsmith.

We can also compare 2010 data for Arrowsmith 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 Arrowsmith

The surname Arrowsmith is of English origin, deriving from the occupational name for a maker or seller of arrows. It emerged in the medieval period, likely between the 12th and 14th centuries, when the longbow and arrows were essential weapons of warfare and hunting.

Arrowsmith is a compound word formed by combining the elements "arrow" and "smith." The Old English word "arwe" or "arowe" referred to an arrow, while "smið" meant a skilled worker or craftsman. Together, these words formed the occupational title "arrowsmith" for those who crafted or dealt in arrows.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Arrowsmith can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire, dated 1273, which mentions a Robert le Arrowesmyth. This early spelling variation reflects the evolving nature of surnames during their establishment.

In 1379, the Poll Tax Returns for Yorkshire listed a John Arousmyth, further demonstrating the name's presence in different regions of England. Other early variations included Arrowesmyth, Arwesmyth, and Arresmyth.

Many Arrowsmiths likely resided near areas known for their arrow production or archery traditions. For instance, the Arrowsmith family was historically associated with the region of Cheshire, where several villages and townships bear names derived from "arrow," such as Arrowcroft and Arrowgreave.

Notable individuals with the surname Arrowsmith throughout history include:

1. John Arrowsmith (1585-1659), a renowned English Protestant minister and theologian known for his published sermons and theological works.

2. Aaron Arrowsmith (1750-1823), a renowned English cartographer and engraver who produced several influential atlases and maps, including a map of North America in 1802.

3. Edmund Arrowsmith (1585-1628), an English Roman Catholic martyr who was hanged, drawn, and quartered for his religious beliefs during the reign of King Charles I.

4. George Arrowsmith (1847-1905), a British trade unionist and prominent figure in the early labor movement, serving as the first president of the National Union of Gasworkers and General Labourers.

5. Patricia Arrowsmith (born 1937), a British actress known for her roles in television series like The Avengers, Upstairs, Downstairs, and Inspector Morse.

While the surname Arrowsmith originated as an occupational name, it has since become a hereditary family name passed down through generations, reflecting the rich history and diversity of English surnames.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Arrowsmith

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

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

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

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