Baxley
From the Old English words "baec" meaning "back" and "leah" meaning "wood" or "clearing," referring to someone who lived near a wood or clearing.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 7,952 Americans carry the last name Baxley. That puts it at #5,111 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 2.32 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 43,103 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Baxley 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
8.0K
1 in 43,103
Census rank
#5,111
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
2.3
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
6.9K
rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 6,852 bearers of the surname Baxley in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 2.32 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 5111th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Baxley, the largest self-reported group is White at 91.0%. The next largest groups are Black (4.4%) and Hispanic (1.9%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Baxley
The surname Baxley is of English origin, emerging in the 13th century. It is a locational name derived from the place name Baxley, a parish in the county of Suffolk, England. The name is believed to have evolved from the Old English words "bæcc" meaning "ridge" and "leah" meaning "meadow" or "clearing," suggesting that the original bearers of the name resided near a ridge or clearing.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Feet of Fines for Suffolk in 1239, where it appears as "Baxeleye." This reference provides evidence of the name's existence in medieval times and its connection to the Suffolk parish.
During the 14th century, the surname Baxley appeared in various historical records, including the Subsidy Rolls of Suffolk in 1327, where it was recorded as "Baxle." This variant spelling offers insight into the name's evolution over time.
In the 16th century, the name Baxley was associated with notable individuals such as John Baxley, a merchant and alderman in the city of Norwich, who lived from around 1510 to 1580. His prominence in the local community suggests the family's standing during that period.
Another historical figure bearing the Baxley name was William Baxley, born in 1656 in Baxley, Suffolk. He was a prominent landowner and served as a magistrate in the county, further highlighting the name's ties to the local area.
Moving forward to the 18th century, records show that Thomas Baxley, born in 1712 in Baxley, Suffolk, was a renowned scholar and author, publishing works on theology and philosophy.
In the 19th century, the name Baxley gained recognition through the accomplishments of Charles Baxley, born in 1825 in Baxley, Suffolk. He was a skilled architect and designed several notable buildings in the region, including churches and public buildings.
While the surname Baxley originated in the county of Suffolk, it eventually spread to other parts of England and beyond, with bearers of the name contributing to various fields throughout history.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Baxley
Among Census respondents with the surname Baxley, the largest self-reported group is White at 91.0%. The next largest groups are Black (4.4%) and Hispanic (1.9%).
The bar chart below shows how Baxley 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 Baxley surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White91.0%
- Black or African American4.4%
- Hispanic or Latino1.9%
- Two or more races1.4%
- American Indian and Alaska Native0.9%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.4%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Baxley 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 | #5,111 | #5,111 | 0.0% |
| Count | 6,852 | 6,852 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 2.32 | 2.32 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Baxley bearers went from 6,852 to 6,852 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #5,111 to #5,111.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Baxley
FAQ
Baxley surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Baxley?
The surname Baxley holds position #5,111 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 7,952 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 2.32 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Baxley surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Baxley, the largest self-reported group is White at 91.0%. The next largest groups are Black (4.4%) and Hispanic (1.9%). 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.