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

Backus, 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 Backus surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Backus in America

Backus is the 4974th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Backus surname appeared 7,064 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 2 people would have the surname Backus.

We can also compare 2010 data for Backus 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 Backus

The surname Backus has its origins in England, with records dating back to the 11th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "baec," meaning "back" or "ridge," and may have been used to refer to someone who lived near a ridge or hill.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Backus can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a survey of land ownership in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. The name appears as "Bacchus," which was likely a variation in spelling due to the lack of standardization at the time.

During the Middle Ages, the name Backus was concentrated primarily in the counties of Essex, Suffolk, and Norfolk in eastern England. This region was known for its rolling hills and ridges, which may have contributed to the name's origins.

In the 13th century, records show a William Backus who was a landowner in the village of Bacton, Norfolk. This place name is likely derived from the same root as the surname, further suggesting its connection to geographical features.

One notable individual with the surname Backus was Sir Adlard Backus (c. 1550-1624), an English soldier and Member of Parliament during the reign of Elizabeth I and James I. He served in the English army and was knighted for his service in the Netherlands.

Another significant figure was Isaac Backus (1724-1806), an American Baptist minister and a prominent advocate for religious freedom in colonial America. He was a leading figure in the struggle for the separation of church and state and played a crucial role in the drafting of the First Amendment.

In the 18th century, the Backus family had a strong presence in Connecticut, with notable members including Simon Backus (1700-1768), a farmer and landowner, and his son Eliphalet Backus (1744-1832), a soldier in the American Revolutionary War.

The name Backus also appears in literary works, such as the novel "The Backwoodsmen" by Charles G.D. Roberts (1860-1943), a Canadian writer and poet. The novel features a character named Backus, likely inspired by the surname's association with rural and natural settings.

Throughout history, variations in spelling have included Bacchus, Backhouse, and Baccus, among others. However, the modern spelling of Backus has become predominant in recent centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Backus

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

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

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

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