Baugh
From Old English meaning "a ring-shaped area of firm ground in a marsh or bog."
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 14,567 Americans carry the last name Baugh. That puts it at #2,873 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 4.25 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 23,530 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Baugh 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
15K
1 in 23,530
Census rank
#2,873
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
4.3
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
13K
uncommon in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 12,543 bearers of the surname Baugh in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 4.25 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 2873rd position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Baugh, the largest self-reported group is White at 74.6%. The next largest groups are Black (19.9%) and Two or More Races (2.1%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Baugh
The surname Baugh originates from England, with roots dating back to the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "beag," meaning "ring" or "bracelet," suggesting a possible occupational connection to someone who made or sold rings or bracelets.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name appears in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it is listed as "Baga" in Worcestershire. This early spelling variation highlights the evolution of the name over time.
During the 13th century, the name Baugh was prominent in the county of Staffordshire, particularly in the village of Bagots Bromley, which may have contributed to the surname's development. Historical records from this period include mentions of individuals such as William de Bagot (born c. 1230) and Sir John Bagot (c. 1275 - 1343), who held land and titles in the area.
As the name spread across England, it took on various spellings, including Baugh, Bough, Baughe, and Bagh. These variations were likely influenced by regional dialects and the inconsistencies of scribal records at the time.
One notable figure bearing the surname Baugh was Robert Baugh (c. 1620 - 1667), an English politician who served as a Member of Parliament during the Commonwealth period. He was a supporter of Oliver Cromwell and played a role in the events leading up to the English Civil War.
In the 18th century, Thomas Baugh (1725 - 1803) was a prominent British architect and surveyor who designed several notable buildings, including the Shire Hall in Monmouth and the Assembly Rooms in Bath.
Another individual of note was William Baugh (1790 - 1845), a British naval officer who served in the Royal Navy during the Napoleonic Wars and later became a rear admiral.
In the literary world, Edward Baugh (born 1936) is a renowned Jamaican poet, literary critic, and scholar who has made significant contributions to Caribbean literature and cultural studies.
Finally, Robert Baugh (1928 - 2008) was an influential American linguist and scholar who specialized in the history of the English language. His seminal work, "A History of the English Language," published in 1951, is considered a standard reference in the field.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Baugh
Among Census respondents with the surname Baugh, the largest self-reported group is White at 74.6%. The next largest groups are Black (19.9%) and Two or More Races (2.1%).
The bar chart below shows how Baugh 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 Baugh surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White74.6%
- Black or African American19.9%
- Two or more races2.1%
- Hispanic or Latino2.1%
- American Indian and Alaska Native0.7%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.7%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Baugh 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 | #2,873 | #2,873 | 0.0% |
| Count | 12,543 | 12,543 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 4.25 | 4.25 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Baugh bearers went from 12,543 to 12,543 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #2,873 to #2,873.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Baugh
FAQ
Baugh surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Baugh?
The surname Baugh holds position #2,873 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 14,567 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 4.25 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Baugh surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Baugh, the largest self-reported group is White at 74.6%. The next largest groups are Black (19.9%) and Two or More Races (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.