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

Axe, 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 Axe surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Axe in America

Axe is the 22056th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Axe surname appeared 1,175 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 Axe.

We can also compare 2010 data for Axe 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 Axe

The surname "Axe" is of English origin, with the earliest recorded instances dating back to the 13th century. It is believed to have originated as a locational name, referring to individuals who lived near a prominent axe-shaped hill or landmark.

The name is thought to derive from the Old English word "æx," meaning "axe," and likely evolved as a descriptive term for a particular geographic feature or settlement. This surname may also have occupational origins, potentially referring to individuals who worked as axe-makers or woodcutters.

Records from the Domesday Book of 1086 mention several places in England with names containing the word "axe," such as Axmouth in Devon and Axbridge in Somerset. These place names could have influenced the formation of the surname "Axe."

One of the earliest recorded individuals with this surname was William Axe, who was mentioned in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire in 1273. Another early bearer of the name was John Axe, who appeared in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex in 1327.

Notable historical figures with the surname "Axe" include:

1. John Axe (c. 1510-1597), an English Protestant reformer and Bishop of Ely during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.
2. Samuel Axe (1693-1759), an English clergyman and author known for his works on the Hebrew language and biblical exegesis.
3. Thomas Axe (1777-1835), a British naval officer who served during the Napoleonic Wars and was awarded the Naval General Service Medal.
4. Edward Axe (1807-1876), an American politician who served as the 8th Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey from 1851 to 1854.
5. William Axe (1828-1898), a British architect responsible for designing several notable buildings in London, including the former premises of the Middlesex County Council.

While the surname "Axe" has maintained its distinct spelling over the centuries, variations such as "Axon" and "Axson" may have derived from the same origin. Additionally, the name could have connections to certain place names like Axmouth and Axbridge, reflecting the locational roots of the surname.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Axe

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

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

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

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