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

Bands, 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 Bands surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Bands in America

Bands is the 116835th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Bands surname appeared 138 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 Bands.

The history of the last name Bands

The surname Bands originates from England, with early references dating back to the Medieval period. The name is believed to have emerged around the 13th to 14th centuries. It is possibly derived from the Middle English word "bande," which referred to a strip of cloth, a ribbon, or something that binds. This suggests the surname may have initially been an occupational name for someone who made or sold bands or ribbons.

The first recorded instance of the surname Bands appears in the early 14th century. Historical documents, including parish registers and old legal documents, make mention of individuals bearing this name. One of the earliest records comes from the Yorkshire region, where the name was noted in a land transaction deed dated 1327. The spelling of the name has remained relatively consistent, though variations such as Band and Bande were also found in older manuscripts.

An interesting historical figure bearing the surname is Richard Bands, a notable 15th-century merchant from Bristol. His contributions to the local economy were significant during the reign of King Henry VI. Another prominent figure is John Bands, a 16th-century weaver from Norwich, who played a role in the local textile industry, which was thriving at the time.

In the late 16th century, Thomas Bands was documented in the records of the Church of England as a churchwarden in the county of Somerset. His leadership and community involvement are noted in multiple parish records from that era. Another person of note is Elizabeth Bands, an early 17th-century poet from London whose work contributed to the rich literary history of the period.

The name further appears in 18th-century records with individuals like Samuel Bands, who was listed among the English gentry and had estates in Kent. His lineage suggests the enduring presence of the surname in upper societal circles.

From these historical references, we see that the surname Bands spans several centuries and geographic areas within England. The name's association with various occupations and societal roles highlights its diverse background. Such examples underscore the rich history and lasting legacy tied to the surname Bands.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Bands

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

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 Bands 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.

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

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

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