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

Baw, 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 Baw surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Baw in America

Baw is the 84748th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Baw surname appeared 221 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Baw.

The history of the last name Baw

The surname "Baw" is believed to have originated in the northern regions of England, particularly in the counties of Yorkshire and Northumberland, during the medieval period. It is derived from the Old English word "balca," meaning a ridge or bank, often referring to a person who resided near a prominent ridge or elevated land feature.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire, dating back to the late 12th century, where a certain William Baw is mentioned as a landowner in the village of Bawdsworth, now known as Bowsworth. This village likely took its name from the same root as the surname, further reinforcing the connection between the name and its geographical origins.

In the 13th century, the name appeared in various documents, including the Subsidy Rolls of Northumberland, where it was spelled as "Bawe" and "Bawgh." These variations in spelling were common during that era due to the lack of standardized spelling conventions.

One notable historical figure bearing the surname Baw was Sir Thomas Baw, a knight who lived in the 14th century and served as a member of the King's Council during the reign of Edward III. He was also known for his involvement in the Hundred Years' War against France.

During the 16th century, the name gained prominence in the northern counties, particularly in Yorkshire, where several families of significant standing bore the surname. One such family was the Baws of Bawlby, whose ancestral home was located in the village of Bawlby, near Thirsk.

Another noteworthy individual was Robert Baw, born in 1572 in Northumberland, who was a renowned scholar and author of several treatises on philosophy and theology. He was educated at the University of Cambridge and later became a fellow of St. John's College.

In the 17th century, the name appeared in various records, including parish registers and court documents. One notable figure was John Baw, born in 1632 in Yorkshire, who was a successful merchant and landowner. He was also known for his philanthropic efforts, having donated significant funds towards the construction of a local church and a school for underprivileged children.

By the 18th century, the name had spread to other parts of England, as well as Scotland and Ireland, due to migration and intermarriage. One prominent individual from this period was William Baw, born in 1714 in Northumberland, who served as a captain in the British Royal Navy and participated in several naval battles during the Seven Years' War.

As the centuries passed, the Baw surname continued to be represented in various fields, including academia, politics, and the arts, with individuals bearing this name making significant contributions to their respective disciplines.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Baw

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

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 Baw 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.

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

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

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