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

Bartlett, 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 Bartlett surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Bartlett in America

Bartlett is the 791st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Bartlett surname appeared 43,648 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 15 people would have the surname Bartlett.

We can also compare 2010 data for Bartlett to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Bartlett

The surname Bartlett has its origins in England, dating back to the medieval era. It is derived from the Old English words "bere" (meaning barley) and "tun" (referring to an enclosure or farm), suggesting that the name was initially associated with individuals who lived on or worked at a barley farm or estate.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Bartlett can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Berthelet" in the county of Sussex. This entry provides evidence that the name was already in use during the 11th century.

As the name spread across England, various spellings emerged, including Bartelot, Bartlott, and Bartlit, reflecting regional variations in pronunciation and scribal interpretations. Over time, the spelling standardized to Bartlett, which became the predominant form.

Historically, the name Bartlett has been associated with several notable individuals. One prominent figure was John Bartlett (c. 1820-1905), an American lexicographer and publisher best known for compiling the influential reference work, "Bartlett's Familiar Quotations."

Another noteworthy Bartlett was Josiah Bartlett (1729-1795), a physician and statesman who was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, representing the state of New Hampshire.

In the realm of literature, John Bartlett (1916-1962), an English writer and critic, gained recognition for his works on English literature and his criticism of the literary establishment of the time.

The name Bartlett has also been associated with the world of science. Edwin Bartlett (1882-1964) was an American physicist and educator who made significant contributions to the field of electricity and magnetism.

Lastly, in the art world, Paul Bartlett (1865-1925) was an American sculptor known for his monumental works, including the famous equestrian statue of General Philip Sheridan in Washington, D.C.

While these examples showcase the diverse accomplishments of individuals bearing the surname Bartlett, the name's roots can be traced back to its humble beginnings as a descriptive surname denoting those who lived on or worked at a barley farm in medieval England.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Bartlett

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

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 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Bartlett 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.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Bartlett has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

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

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

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