Avis
A surname of French origin derived from the Old French word "avis," meaning "bird" or "sign."
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 2,502 Americans carry the last name Avis. That puts it at #13,981 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.73 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 136,992 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Avis 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
2.5K
1 in 136,992
Census rank
#13,981
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.7
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
2.2K
rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 2,156 bearers of the surname Avis in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.73 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 13981st position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Avis, the largest self-reported group is White at 85.7%. The next largest groups are Black (6.5%) and Hispanic (3.5%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Avis
The surname Avis has its roots in England and France, originating in the 12th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old French word "avis," meaning "opinion" or "advice." This suggests that the name may have initially been a descriptive nickname given to someone known for their wisdom or counsel.
In England, the name can be traced back to the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. Here, the name appears as "Avis" and "Avis de Burgo," indicating its presence in various regions of the country.
One of the earliest recorded bearers of the name was Roger Avis, a landowner from Worcestershire mentioned in the Pipe Rolls of 1190. Another notable figure was John Avis, a prominent merchant from London who lived in the 14th century and was involved in the wool trade.
The surname Avis has also been associated with various place names in England, including Avishayes in Devon and Avisford in Sussex. These locations likely took their names from early settlers bearing the Avis surname.
In France, the surname Avis can be traced back to the 13th century, with variations such as "Avy" and "Avice" being found in historical records. One notable bearer of the name was Jean Avis, a French soldier who fought alongside Joan of Arc during the Hundred Years' War in the 15th century.
Other notable individuals with the surname Avis include:
1. Robert Avis (1491-1558), an English politician and member of Parliament during the reign of Queen Mary I.
2. William Avis (1675-1759), a prominent English clockmaker known for his innovative timepiece designs.
3. Mary Avis (1809-1891), a British author and poet, known for her work "The Cottage Girl" published in 1839.
4. John Avis (1842-1921), a Canadian businessman and politician who served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.
5. Ernest Avis (1884-1953), a British athlete who competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics in London, winning a silver medal in the tug-of-war event.
While the surname Avis may have evolved over time and across different regions, its origins can be traced back to the medieval period, reflecting its long-standing presence in both England and France.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Avis
Among Census respondents with the surname Avis, the largest self-reported group is White at 85.7%. The next largest groups are Black (6.5%) and Hispanic (3.5%).
The bar chart below shows how Avis 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 Avis surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White85.7%
- Black or African American6.5%
- Hispanic or Latino3.5%
- Asian and Pacific Islander2.0%
- Two or more races1.9%
- American Indian and Alaska Native0.4%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Avis 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 | #13,981 | #13,981 | 0.0% |
| Count | 2,156 | 2,156 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.73 | 0.73 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Avis bearers went from 2,156 to 2,156 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #13,981 to #13,981.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Avis
FAQ
Avis surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Avis?
The surname Avis holds position #13,981 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 2,502 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.73 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Avis surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Avis, the largest self-reported group is White at 85.7%. The next largest groups are Black (6.5%) and Hispanic (3.5%). 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.