Avalon
A surname derived from the legendary island of Avalon from Arthurian legends.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 377 Americans carry the last name Avalon. That puts it at #61,745 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.11 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 909,163 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Avalon 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
377
1 in 909,163
Census rank
#61,745
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
325
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 325 bearers of the surname Avalon in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.11 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 61745th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Avalon, the largest self-reported group is White at 73.5%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (18.1%) and Black (2.8%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Avalon
The surname Avalon has its origins in the British Isles, particularly in England and Wales. It is believed to have derived from the place name Avalon, which was a legendary island featured prominently in Arthurian legends. The name Avalon is thought to be derived from the Welsh words "afal" meaning apple and "ynys" meaning island, suggesting the Isle of Apples.
Avalon was first mentioned in the 12th century by the Norman-French poet Wace in his work "Roman de Brut." He described it as the island to which King Arthur was taken after being mortally wounded in battle. Avalon was also referenced in the works of other medieval writers such as Chrétien de Troyes and Geoffrey of Monmouth, solidifying its place in Arthurian mythology.
The earliest recorded instances of the surname Avalon can be traced back to the late 13th century. In 1296, a John de Avalon is mentioned in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire. Another early record is from 1327, when a Richard Avalon is listed in the Subsidy Rolls of Cambridgeshire.
Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the surname Avalon. One of the earliest was Sir John Avalon (1410-1480), a prominent English knight and landowner during the Wars of the Roses. Another was William Avalon (1562-1626), an English theologian and scholar who served as the Regius Professor of Divinity at Cambridge University.
In the 19th century, John Timbrell Avalon (1825-1898) was a renowned English architect responsible for designing several churches and public buildings in London. Sir Thomas Avalon (1836-1912) was a British politician and businessman who served as a Member of Parliament for Southwark.
More recently, Arthur Avalon (1865-1939), whose birth name was Sir John Woodroffe, was a prominent scholar of Hinduism and Sanskrit literature. He wrote extensively on Hindu philosophy and tantra under his pseudonym.
Throughout its history, the surname Avalon has maintained its connection to the legendary island of Arthurian lore, evoking a sense of mystery and enchantment. While its origins are rooted in medieval Britain, the name has endured and spread across the globe, carried by individuals from diverse backgrounds and walks of life.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Avalon
Among Census respondents with the surname Avalon, the largest self-reported group is White at 73.5%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (18.1%) and Black (2.8%).
The bar chart below shows how Avalon 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 Avalon surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White73.5%
- Hispanic or Latino18.1%
- Black or African American2.8%
- Two or more races2.8%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Avalon 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 | #61,745 | #61,745 | 0.0% |
| Count | 325 | 325 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.11 | 0.11 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Avalon bearers went from 325 to 325 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #61,745 to #61,745.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Avalon
FAQ
Avalon surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Avalon?
The surname Avalon holds position #61,745 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 377 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.11 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Avalon surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Avalon, the largest self-reported group is White at 73.5%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (18.1%) and Black (2.8%). 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.