Barlow
From a place name meaning "barley hill" in Old English, or a person who lived near such a hill.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 38,731 Americans carry the last name Barlow. That puts it at #1,047 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 11.30 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 8,850 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Barlow 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
39K
1 in 8,850
Census rank
#1,047
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
11.3
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
33K
uncommon in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 33,335 bearers of the surname Barlow in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 11.30 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 1047th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Barlow, the largest self-reported group is White at 81.2%. The next largest groups are Black (13.3%) and Hispanic (2.0%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Barlow
The surname Barlow originated in England, deriving from the Old English words 'bearu' meaning 'grove' or 'thicket' and 'hlaw' meaning 'hill' or 'mound'. It is thought to have been a topographic name given to someone who lived near a grassy hill or mound covered in trees.
The earliest recorded use of the name Barlow dates back to the late 12th century in Derbyshire, where it appeared as 'de Barlowe' in the Pipe Rolls of 1199. This suggests the name may have originated as a place name, referring to a specific location with these geographical features.
In the 13th century, the surname Barlow appeared in various records, including the Hundred Rolls of 1273, where it was spelled 'de Barlow'. This spelling variation indicates the name was initially formed as a habitation name, referring to someone from a place called Barlow.
One of the earliest known bearers of the name was Roger de Barlow, who was mentioned in the Pipe Rolls of Staffordshire in 1199. Another early record is of William de Barlow, who was listed in the Assize Rolls of Staffordshire in 1272.
The Domesday Book, compiled in 1086, does not contain any direct references to the name Barlow. However, it does mention several places with names similar to Barlow, such as Barleye in Derbyshire and Barlawe in Cheshire, suggesting the name may have originated from one of these locations.
A notable figure in history with the surname Barlow was William Barlow, who was the Bishop of Lincoln from 1608 to 1613. He played a significant role in the Hampton Court Conference of 1604, which helped shape the King James Bible.
Another prominent individual was Sir Samuel Barlow, a British naval officer and colonial administrator who served as the Governor of Jamaica from 1679 to 1686. He was known for his efforts to improve the island's defenses and infrastructure.
In the field of literature, Jane Barlow (1857-1917) was an English novelist and children's writer who authored several popular books, including "Irish Idylls" and "Bog-Land Studies".
The name Barlow also has connections to the American Civil War, with Francis Channing Barlow (1834-1896), a lawyer and Union Army general who fought in several major battles, including Gettysburg and Antietam.
Finally, Joel Barlow (1754-1812) was an American poet and diplomat who served as the United States Minister to France during the French Revolution. He is best known for his epic poem "The Columbiad".
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Barlow
Among Census respondents with the surname Barlow, the largest self-reported group is White at 81.2%. The next largest groups are Black (13.3%) and Hispanic (2.0%).
The bar chart below shows how Barlow 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 Barlow surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White81.2%
- Black or African American13.3%
- Hispanic or Latino2.0%
- Two or more races1.9%
- American Indian and Alaska Native1.2%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.6%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Barlow 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 | #1,047 | #1,047 | 0.0% |
| Count | 33,335 | 33,335 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 11.30 | 11.30 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Barlow bearers went from 33,335 to 33,335 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #1,047 to #1,047.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Barlow
FAQ
Barlow surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Barlow?
The surname Barlow holds position #1,047 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 38,731 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 11.30 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Barlow surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Barlow, the largest self-reported group is White at 81.2%. The next largest groups are Black (13.3%) and Hispanic (2.0%). 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.