Badenoch last name popularity, history, and meaning

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

Meaning of Badenoch

A surname originating from a town or place in Scotland.

Badenoch, 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 Badenoch surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Badenoch in America

Badenoch is the 144908th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Badenoch surname appeared 105 times in the 2000 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Badenoch.

The history of the last name Badenoch

The surname Badenoch has its origins in Scotland, specifically associated with the Badenoch district in the historic county of Inverness-shire. The name is thought to have emerged during the medieval period. The district of Badenoch, located in the central Scottish Highlands, is known for its rugged terrain and significant historical importance. The name itself is derived from the Old Gaelic words "badh," meaning "boar," and "cnoc," meaning "hill" or "knoll," translating to "hill of the boar."

Historical references to the surname and the region appear in early Scottish records. One of the earliest mentions comes from the 13th century, particularly in documents related to the era of King Alexander II of Scotland. A notable reference is an entry in the Scottish records around 1230, where the territory of Badenoch was granted to the Comyn family, making them one of the prominent families in the area who adopted the name Badenoch.

The earliest recorded example of the name Badenoch as a surname appears in the 14th century. An individual known as John de Badenoch is documented as a witness in various charters during this time. John de Badenoch was active around 1360 and served as a landholder in the region, highlighting the surname’s historical attachment to land and local governance.

Throughout the centuries, several notable individuals have carried the surname Badenoch. For instance, James Badenoch, born in 1485, served as a laird and was known for his involvement in local disputes and agricultural advancements. Another significant figure was Thomas Badenoch, a cleric born in 1560, who played a role in the religious transformations of the Reformation period in Scotland.

By the 18th century, the surname had spread beyond the region, with Robert Badenoch, born in 1714, establishing himself as a notable merchant in Edinburgh. His ventures contributed to the economic development of the city, and his descendants continued to hold influential positions in various industries.

In the 19th century, the surname Badenoch became associated with the realm of academics and literature. Alexander Badenoch, born in 1832, was a prominent historian and author, known for his extensive research on Scottish heritage and his contributions to the preservation of Gaelic culture. His works remain references for historical studies relating to the Scottish Highlands.

The surname Badenoch carries a rich historical legacy tied to the Scottish Highlands' geography, culture, and political landscape. The lineage of the name illustrates the evolution of Scotland’s societal structures over the centuries, with each bearer of the name playing a role in shaping its history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Badenoch

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

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 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Badenoch was:

Race/Ethnicity Percentage Total Occurrences
Non-Hispanic White Only 92.38% 97
Non-Hispanic Black Only (S)% (S)
Non-Hispanic Asian and Pacific Islander Only (S)% (S)
Non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaskan Native 0.00% 0
Non-Hispanic of Two or More Races 0.00% 0
Hispanic Origin (S)% (S)

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.

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

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

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"Badenoch last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on May 5, 2025. http://namecensus.com/last-names/badenoch-surname-popularity/.

"Badenoch last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/last-names/badenoch-surname-popularity/. Accessed 5 May, 2025

Badenoch last name popularity, history, and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/last-names/badenoch-surname-popularity/.

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