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

Banty, 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 Banty surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Banty in America

Banty is the 146011th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Banty surname appeared 104 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 Banty.

The history of the last name Banty

The surname Banty has its origins rooted in England, a country known for its rich tapestry of surnames derived from geographical, occupational, and descriptive terms. The name Banty likely emerged in the early medieval period, around the 12th to 13th centuries, a time of significant sociopolitical changes in England. It is believed to have originated in the West Midlands, a region known for its dense forests and agricultural lands.

The name Banty might be derived from the Old English words "banta" or "bente," which referred to a type of coarse grass or rush found in marshy areas. Given the environmental context, its original bearers were likely people who lived near or worked in wetlands and marshy areas. An alternative theory suggests that Banty could have derived from a diminutive form of a personal name or a nickname.

The earliest recorded instance of the name appears in ecclesiastical records from the late 14th century. One such reference is John Banty, mentioned in a 1379 poll tax record from Yorkshire. This suggests that the name had spread northward by that period and was significant enough to be recorded in tax documents.

Another notable figure in history is Thomas Banty, recorded in the ecclesiastical records of Worcester in 1456. He is noted for his contributions to the local religious community, providing insights into the social standing and professions of individuals bearing the surname. The spread of the surname to ecclesiastical records indicates a possible variance in professions among the bearers of this name over time.

A century later, in 1564, Elizabeth Banty was mentioned in the Parish records of Stratford-upon-Avon. This would place her contemporary to William Shakespeare. Although there is no direct connection, her presence in the same region highlights both the surname’s persistence through the centuries and its spread within various communities.

Another historical figure, George Banty, born in 1645, served as a notable town official in Bristol. He was involved in several legal reforms and his name appears in numerous civic documents from the late 17th century, emphasizing the administrative and civic contributions of individuals bearing the surname.

By the 18th century, the name Banty appears in maritime records. Richard Banty, born in 1722, was a known sailor who sailed with the East India Company. His voyages and subsequent records in ship logs from 1751 add a maritime dimension to the history of the surname, suggesting a shift in occupations and global movement.

Throughout the centuries, the surname Banty has been represented in various professional fields and geographic locations. The evolving presence of the name in historical documents from ecclesiastical, civic, and maritime records provides a tantalizing glimpse into the lives of individuals who bore it. The surname Banty illustrates the rich, multifaceted history embedded within a seemingly simple name, bound by the threads of geography, occupation, and personal identity through time.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Banty

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

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

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

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