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

Baýrd, 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 Baýrd surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Baýrd in America

Baýrd is the 148244th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Baýrd surname appeared 102 times in the 2000 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Baýrd.

The history of the last name Baýrd

The surname Bayrd has its origins in Scotland, with historical roots tracing back to the medieval period. The name is believed to be derived from the Old English word "byrd," which means "bird." This etymology suggests that the name possibly originated as a nickname for someone who had bird-like characteristics or perhaps someone who worked with birds, such as a falconer. Another theory links the name to the Gaelic word "bàrd," meaning "bard" or "poet," indicating it may have initially been an occupational name.

Early records of the Bayrd surname appear in various historical documents. One of the earliest mentions is in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, where a William Bayrd of Lanarkshire is recorded swearing fealty to King Edward I of England. These rolls are among the earliest public records containing names from Scotland, marking an important historical context for understanding the spread and usage of the surname.

The name Bayrd also appears in "The Black Book of Taymouth," a manuscript from the 16th century that chronicles the Campbells of Glenorchy. In this manuscript, Duncan Bayrd is mentioned as a notary public in Perthshire during the mid-1500s. His presence in the Black Book signifies the name's establishment and involvement in legal and clerical roles within Scottish society.

Throughout the centuries, the spelling of the surname Bayrd has experienced variations. Some of the older spellings include Baird, Bard, and Byrd. These variations reflect changes in phonetics and literacy over time, affecting how surnames were recorded in official documents.

Notable historical figures bearing the surname Bayrd include Richard Bayrd, an early settler in the American colonies during the 17th century, who is recorded in land deeds from Virginia in 1653. Another significant personality is Thomas Bayrd, a Scottish merchant and ship owner, who was active in the port city of Glasgow in the early 1800s.

In the literary realm, John Bayrd, born in 1724 and died in 1803, was a notable Scottish poet and contemporary of Robert Burns. His works contributed to the rich tapestry of Scottish literature during that period. Another influential figure was James Bayrd, born in 1805, a prominent scholar and professor at the University of Edinburgh, known for his contributions to the field of natural sciences.

The surname also has connections to place names, with Baird's Mill in Ayrshire likely deriving its name from a family or individual named Bayrd. This place name connection signifies the geographic spread and influence of the surname within Scotland.

In summation, the surname Bayrd boasts a rich historical background with origins rooted in medieval Scotland. Early spellings and records, such as the Ragman Rolls and mentions in the Black Book of Taymouth, attest to its long-standing presence. Figures like Richard Bayrd, Thomas Bayrd, John Bayrd, and James Bayrd, among others, highlight the surname's historical significance across various fields and geographical locations.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Baýrd

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

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 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Baýrd 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 Baýrd was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!