Barnett
A locational surname derived from any of several places named Barnett, likely referring to a "burnt" or "cleared" area.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 111,190 Americans carry the last name Barnett. That puts it at #324 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 32.44 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 3,083 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Barnett 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
111K
1 in 3,083
Census rank
#324
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
32.4
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
96K
common in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 95,681 bearers of the surname Barnett in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 32.44 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 324th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Barnett, the largest self-reported group is White at 76.4%. The next largest groups are Black (17.5%) and Hispanic (2.6%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Barnett
The surname Barnett has its origins in medieval England, derived from the personal name Barnett, a diminutive of the name Barnard, which was a popular name during the Middle Ages. The name Barnard itself is believed to have come from the Germanic name Bernhard, composed of the elements "bera" meaning bear and "hard" meaning brave or hardy.
The earliest recorded instance of the surname Barnett can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Barnard." This suggests that the surname was already in use in England during the 11th century, likely among those of Norman descent.
During the 13th and 14th centuries, the surname Barnett began to appear in various records and documents across England, particularly in areas such as Yorkshire, Lancashire, and Lincolnshire. The name was often spelled in different ways, including Barnett, Barnet, Barnitt, and Barnette, reflecting the variations in pronunciation and regional dialects.
One notable figure bearing the surname Barnett was John Barnett, a merchant and Member of Parliament for the city of London in the late 16th century (c. 1550-1598). Another was Richard Barnett, an English Jesuit priest who was executed for his faith during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I in 1597.
In the 17th century, the Barnett surname was associated with several prominent individuals, including John Barnett (1615-1685), an English mathematician and astronomer, and Samuel Barnett (1644-1723), a Church of England clergyman and author.
The 18th century saw the rise of Sir John Barnett (1714-1804), a British naval officer who served during the American Revolutionary War. Another notable figure was Richard Barnett (1760-1827), an English musician and composer best known for his operas and oratorios.
During the 19th century, the surname Barnett continued to be associated with notable individuals, such as John Barnett (1802-1890), an English architect and civil engineer, and Samuel Augustus Barnett (1844-1913), a social reformer and founder of the first university settlement in London.
Throughout its history, the surname Barnett has been associated with various places and place names, particularly in England. For example, the town of Barnett in Hertfordshire is believed to have derived its name from the surname, reflecting the presence of families bearing this name in the area.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Barnett
Among Census respondents with the surname Barnett, the largest self-reported group is White at 76.4%. The next largest groups are Black (17.5%) and Hispanic (2.6%).
The bar chart below shows how Barnett 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 Barnett surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White76.4%
- Black or African American17.5%
- Hispanic or Latino2.6%
- Two or more races2.2%
- American Indian and Alaska Native0.9%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.4%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Barnett 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 | #324 | #324 | 0.0% |
| Count | 95,681 | 95,681 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 32.44 | 32.44 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Barnett bearers went from 95,681 to 95,681 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #324 to #324.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Barnett
FAQ
Barnett surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Barnett?
The surname Barnett holds position #324 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 111,190 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 32.44 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Barnett surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Barnett, the largest self-reported group is White at 76.4%. The next largest groups are Black (17.5%) and Hispanic (2.6%). 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.