Arthur
Originally a Celtic surname meaning "bear," derived from the Old Welsh name "Arth" or "Arthwr," meaning "bear-man."
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 32,664 Americans carry the last name Arthur. That puts it at #1,247 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 9.53 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 10,493 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Arthur 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
33K
1 in 10,493
Census rank
#1,247
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
9.5
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
28K
uncommon in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 28,102 bearers of the surname Arthur in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 9.53 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 1247th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Arthur, the largest self-reported group is White at 76.6%. The next largest groups are Black (15.8%) and American Indian/Alaska Native (2.4%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Arthur
The surname Arthur has its origins in the ancient Celtic British culture, dating back to the 5th and 6th centuries AD. It is believed to have derived from the Roman name "Artorius" or the Celtic words "artos" meaning bear and "rigos" meaning king or warrior. The name was associated with the legendary King Arthur, who was said to have ruled over Britain during the late 5th and early 6th centuries.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Arthur can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The name appears in various spellings, such as "Arturus," "Arthurus," and "Artur."
In the 12th century, the name gained popularity due to the widespread circulation of the Arthurian legends, which were compiled and romanticized by authors like Geoffrey of Monmouth and Chrétien de Troyes. These stories featured the exploits of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table, solidifying the name's association with chivalry and heroism.
During the Middle Ages, the surname Arthur was particularly prevalent in Cornwall and Wales, regions with strong Celtic cultural ties. Notable individuals with the surname include Sir Thomas Arthur (1508-1586), a Welsh politician and landowner, and Sir Daniel Arthur (1609-1676), a Welsh soldier and Member of Parliament.
In the 16th century, the Arthur surname appeared in various place names and locations across England, such as Arthurstown in Northamptonshire and Arthursleigh in Warwickshire, further indicating its widespread adoption.
Other notable historical figures with the surname Arthur include:
1. Chester A. Arthur (1829-1886), the 21st President of the United States.
2. Sir George Arthur (1784-1854), a British military officer and colonial administrator who served as Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada (present-day Ontario).
3. Julia Arthur (1869-1950), an American stage actress renowned for her performances in Shakespearean plays.
4. Robert Arthur (1909-1969), an American writer and editor best known for his work on the Alfred Hitchcock Presents anthology series.
5. John Arthur (1880-1952), a British actor and film director who worked extensively in the silent film era.
The surname Arthur has endured through the centuries, carrying with it a rich history and associations with legendary figures, literary works, and cultural significance in various regions of the British Isles and beyond.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Arthur
Among Census respondents with the surname Arthur, the largest self-reported group is White at 76.6%. The next largest groups are Black (15.8%) and American Indian/Alaska Native (2.4%).
The bar chart below shows how Arthur 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 Arthur surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White76.6%
- Black or African American15.8%
- American Indian and Alaska Native2.4%
- Hispanic or Latino2.4%
- Two or more races1.8%
- Asian and Pacific Islander1.0%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Arthur 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 | #1,247 | #1,247 | 0.0% |
| Count | 28,102 | 28,102 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 9.53 | 9.53 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Arthur bearers went from 28,102 to 28,102 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #1,247 to #1,247.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Arthur
FAQ
Arthur surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Arthur?
The surname Arthur holds position #1,247 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 32,664 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 9.53 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Arthur surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Arthur, the largest self-reported group is White at 76.6%. The next largest groups are Black (15.8%) and American Indian/Alaska Native (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.