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

Ayre, 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 Ayre surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Ayre in America

Ayre is the 35395th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Ayre surname appeared 636 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 Ayre.

We can also compare 2010 data for Ayre 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 Ayre

The surname "AYRE" is of English origin, with roots dating back to the 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "eyr," meaning a marsh or a watery place, suggesting that the earliest bearers of this name likely resided near such locations.

The earliest recorded instance of the name can be traced back to the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273, where it appeared as "de Eyre." This form indicates that the name was originally a locational surname, referring to someone who hailed from a place called Eyre or a similar-sounding name.

In the 14th century, the name appeared in various records as "Ayre," "Ayer," and "Eyre," reflecting the variations in spelling common during that era. One notable example is John Ayre, a landowner mentioned in the Court Rolls of the Manor of Wakefield in 1317.

The Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086, does not contain any direct references to the surname "AYRE." However, it does mention several place names that could have been the origins of this surname, such as "Eyre" in Derbyshire and "Eyre" in Wiltshire.

Throughout history, several prominent individuals have borne the surname "AYRE." One such figure was Sir John Ayre (1492-1558), a merchant and Member of Parliament during the reign of Henry VIII. Another notable bearer was Thomas Ayre (1628-1691), an English clergyman and author who served as the Rector of Crofton in Yorkshire.

In the 18th century, James Ayre (1759-1833) was a renowned landscape painter and engraver, known for his picturesque views of English landscapes and architecture. His works are held in collections at institutions such as the British Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Moving into the 19th century, we find Robert Ayre (1818-1887), a prominent English architect who designed several churches and public buildings in Yorkshire, including the Leeds Town Hall and the Church of St. Cuthbert in Pateley Bridge.

Finally, in the 20th century, Leonard Ayre (1904-1982) was a British athlete who competed in the 1928 Olympic Games in Amsterdam, representing Great Britain in the long jump event.

These examples illustrate the rich history and diversity of individuals who have carried the surname "AYRE" throughout the centuries, reflecting its enduring presence in English society and its connection to various places, occupations, and achievements.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Ayre

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

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

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

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