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

Bayless, 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 Bayless surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Bayless in America

Bayless is the 5632nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Bayless surname appeared 6,171 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 2 people would have the surname Bayless.

We can also compare 2010 data for Bayless 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 Bayless

The surname Bayless is believed to have originated in England, specifically in the southwestern regions of the country, during the medieval period. It is thought to be derived from the Old English words "bæg" and "leah," which translate to "ring-shaped hill" or "clearing in a ring of trees." This suggests that the name may have initially referred to a person or family who lived near or owned such a geographic feature.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Bayless surname can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of landholdings and resources commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. Here, the name appears as "Bagelei," a spelling that reflects the linguistic evolution of the name over time.

In the 13th century, records show variants of the name, such as "Bayly" and "Bailly," appearing in various parts of England, particularly in counties like Dorset, Somerset, and Devon. This supports the theory that the name originated in the southwestern regions.

A notable figure bearing the Bayless surname was Sir John Bayless, a prominent English judge who lived from 1512 to 1589. He served as a Justice of the Court of King's Bench during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I and played a significant role in the legal system of his time.

Another individual of historical significance was Thomas Bayless, born in 1612 in Gloucestershire, England. He was a renowned Puritan clergyman and author who emigrated to New England in 1638 and became one of the founders of the town of Sandwich, Massachusetts.

In the 18th century, the name appears in various records and documents, such as parish registers and court proceedings. For instance, a certain William Bayless, born in 1724 in Wiltshire, England, was a prominent landowner and farmer who contributed to the local economy and community.

Across the Atlantic, the Bayless surname took root in the American colonies, with several individuals bearing the name making their mark. One such figure was Samuel Bayless, born in 1745 in Virginia, who served as a lieutenant in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War.

As the centuries passed, the Bayless surname continued to spread and evolve, with various branches and lineages emerging in different regions and countries. While the origins of the name can be traced back to medieval England, it has since become a part of the cultural tapestry of many nations, reflecting the diverse histories and journeys of those who bear it.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Bayless

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

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

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

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