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

Asper, 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 Asper surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Asper in America

Asper is the 25226th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Asper surname appeared 982 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 Asper.

We can also compare 2010 data for Asper 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 Asper

The surname Asper is of English origin, with its roots traced back to the medieval era, specifically the 12th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word 'aespe,' meaning 'aspen tree' or 'trembling poplar.' This suggests that the name may have initially been a descriptive one, likely referring to someone who lived near an aspen grove or whose dwelling was situated among these trees.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Asper can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire, dated 1199, which mention a certain Robert Asper. This historical record provides evidence of the surname's existence in England during the late 12th century.

In the centuries that followed, the name Asper appeared in various forms, reflecting the regional dialects and spelling variations of the time. For instance, the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire from 1273 reference a John Aspre, while the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex from 1327 mention a William Aspere.

While the Asper surname may not be among the most prominent in historical records, there are a few notable individuals who bore this name throughout history. One such figure was John Asper, a 15th-century English landowner and yeoman from Warwickshire, who was mentioned in the Court Rolls of 1458.

Another individual of historical significance was Richard Asper, born in 1612 in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire. He was a prominent member of the local gentry and served as a magistrate in the county.

In the 18th century, we find mention of Thomas Asper, a merchant and landowner from Yorkshire, who was involved in the wool trade and left a significant legacy in the region.

Moving into the 19th century, the name Asper is associated with John Asper, born in 1804 in Gloucestershire, who was a noted educator and headmaster of a prestigious grammar school in the county.

Finally, one cannot overlook the contribution of Mary Asper, a 19th-century philanthropist and social reformer from Lincolnshire, who dedicated her life to improving the living conditions of the underprivileged in her community.

While the Asper surname may not be among the most widespread or well-known, its history and origins are deeply rooted in the English landscape, with connections to the natural world and a diverse array of individuals who left their mark on various aspects of society throughout the centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Asper

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

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

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

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