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

Batten, 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 Batten surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Batten in America

Batten is the 4597th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Batten surname appeared 7,716 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 3 people would have the surname Batten.

We can also compare 2010 data for Batten 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 Batten

The surname "Batten" is of Anglo-Saxon origin, deriving from the Old English word "bat" or "batt", meaning a bat or a stick. It is believed to have originated in the 12th century as an occupational surname, referring to a maker or seller of bats used for beating cloth during the fulling process in textile manufacturing.

In its earliest recorded instances, the name appeared in various spellings, such as Batte, Batt, and Batte, reflecting the evolving nature of surnames in medieval times. One of the earliest documented records of the name can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Worcestershire from 1221, where a Roger Batte is mentioned.

The Batten surname is also associated with several place names in England, particularly in the counties of Wiltshire, Somerset, and Dorset. For instance, the village of Batten in Somerset likely derived its name from the same linguistic roots, indicating a potential connection to the surname's origins.

Historically, the Batten family held notable positions and played significant roles in various regions of England. One prominent figure was Sir William Batten (1604-1667), an English naval officer and politician who served as a Surveyor of the Navy during the reign of King Charles II. He was involved in the Anglo-Dutch Wars and played a crucial role in the development of the Royal Navy.

Another individual of note was John Batten (1648-1716), an English clergyman and academic who served as the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge from 1699 to 1700. He was a renowned scholar and author, contributing to the fields of theology and philosophy.

In the literary realm, Ethel Batten (1873-1947) was a notable English novelist and short story writer, known for her works set in rural England during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Her novels, such as "The Tragedy of Casanova" and "The Suburban Saints," explored themes of social class and the complexities of human relationships.

The Batten surname also has connections to the United States, with one notable figure being William B. Batten (1804-1868), an American politician and lawyer who served as a member of the United States House of Representatives from New Jersey between 1847 and 1849.

Throughout history, the Batten surname has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including military leaders, clergymen, academics, authors, and politicians, contributing to the rich tapestry of cultural and historical narratives across different regions and time periods.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Batten

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

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

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

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