Barkin
An anglicized version of a Slavic surname likely derived from a word meaning "trader" or "barterer".
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 548 Americans carry the last name Barkin. That puts it at #44,270 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.16 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 625,464 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Barkin surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
548
1 in 625,464
Census rank
#44,270
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.2
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
486
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 486 bearers of the surname Barkin in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.16 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 44270th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Barkin, the largest self-reported group is White at 82.1%. The next largest groups are Black (14.4%) and Hispanic (2.1%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Barkin
The surname "BARKIN" is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period. It is derived from the Old English words "bær" meaning "bare" and "cyn" meaning "family" or "kin". This suggests that the name may have originally referred to a family or clan that lived in a sparsely populated or uncultivated area.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name "BARKIN" can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Barcyne". This entry refers to a landowner in the county of Lincolnshire. It is possible that the name was originally associated with a specific place or manor, as was common with many English surnames.
In the 13th century, the surname appears in various records as "Barkyn" and "Barkine". During this time, the name was predominantly found in the counties of Lincolnshire and Yorkshire, indicating that these areas may have been strongholds for families bearing this surname.
One notable individual with the surname "BARKIN" was Sir John Barkin, a knight who lived in the late 14th century. He served as a member of Parliament for the county of Lincolnshire and was involved in various military campaigns during the Hundred Years' War.
Another prominent figure with this surname was Thomas Barkin, born in 1546 in Yorkshire. He was a prominent merchant and landowner, and records show that he was involved in the wool trade, which was a significant industry in England at the time.
In the 17th century, the surname "BARKIN" appears in several parish records in the county of Norfolk. One such record from 1642 mentions a William Barkin, who was a farmer and landowner in the village of Blakeney.
During the 18th century, the surname "BARKIN" spread to other parts of England, as well as to Scotland and Ireland. One notable individual from this period was James Barkin, born in 1748 in Edinburgh, Scotland. He was a renowned philosopher and writer, and his works on ethics and political theory were widely read and influential.
Another individual of note was Mary Barkin, born in 1782 in County Cork, Ireland. She was a renowned poet and activist, known for her works that championed women's rights and social reform. Her collection of poems, "Echoes from the Emerald Isle," published in 1829, was widely acclaimed and helped to establish her reputation as a leading literary figure of her time.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Barkin
Among Census respondents with the surname Barkin, the largest self-reported group is White at 82.1%. The next largest groups are Black (14.4%) and Hispanic (2.1%).
The bar chart below shows how Barkin bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Barkin surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White82.1%
- Black or African American14.4%
- Hispanic or Latino2.1%
- Asian and Pacific Islander1.2%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Barkin surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #44,270 | #44,270 | 0.0% |
| Count | 486 | 486 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.16 | 0.16 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Barkin bearers went from 486 to 486 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #44,270 to #44,270.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Barkin
FAQ
Barkin surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Barkin?
The surname Barkin holds position #44,270 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 548 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.16 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Barkin surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Barkin, the largest self-reported group is White at 82.1%. The next largest groups are Black (14.4%) and Hispanic (2.1%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.