Beckett
Derived from a place name meaning "bee cottage" or "beehive-keeper's cottage" in Old English.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 13,676 Americans carry the last name Beckett. That puts it at #3,045 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 3.99 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 25,062 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Beckett 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
14K
1 in 25,062
Census rank
#3,045
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
4.0
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
12K
uncommon in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 11,763 bearers of the surname Beckett in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 3.99 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 3045th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Beckett, the largest self-reported group is White at 77.0%. The next largest groups are Black (17.6%) and Hispanic (2.4%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Beckett
The surname Beckett originates from England and dates back to the 12th century. It is thought to be derived from the Old English words "bec" meaning a stream or brook, and "hett" meaning a hunting area or wood. This suggests the name may have referred to someone who lived near a stream in a wooded area.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire from 1166, which mention a William Becket. The name also appears in the Domesday Book of 1086 as "Becchet" and "Becchett", which were early spellings used in various regions.
In the 13th century, the name was found in various forms such as Becket, Bequet, and Beket in various parts of England, including Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire, and Yorkshire. These variations likely arose due to regional dialects and spelling differences at the time.
One notable figure with the surname Beckett was Thomas Becket, the Archbishop of Canterbury who was murdered in 1170 after a dispute with King Henry II. This event brought significant attention to the name and may have contributed to its spread and popularity in subsequent centuries.
Other historical figures with the surname Beckett include Samuel Beckett (1906-1989), the Nobel Prize-winning Irish playwright and novelist known for works such as "Waiting for Godot" and "Endgame". William Beckett (1684-1738) was an English surgeon and anatomist who made significant contributions to the study of embryology.
In the 16th century, the name was also associated with places like Becketts Park in Shropshire and Beckett Street in Bedford, further reinforcing its connection to geographic locations.
Throughout history, the Beckett surname has been found across various regions of England and has been borne by individuals from diverse backgrounds, including writers, clergymen, and scholars.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Beckett
Among Census respondents with the surname Beckett, the largest self-reported group is White at 77.0%. The next largest groups are Black (17.6%) and Hispanic (2.4%).
The bar chart below shows how Beckett 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 Beckett surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White77.0%
- Black or African American17.6%
- Hispanic or Latino2.4%
- Two or more races1.9%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.5%
- American Indian and Alaska Native0.4%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Beckett 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 | #3,045 | #3,045 | 0.0% |
| Count | 11,763 | 11,763 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 3.99 | 3.99 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Beckett bearers went from 11,763 to 11,763 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #3,045 to #3,045.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Beckett
FAQ
Beckett surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Beckett?
The surname Beckett holds position #3,045 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 13,676 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 3.99 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Beckett surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Beckett, the largest self-reported group is White at 77.0%. The next largest groups are Black (17.6%) and Hispanic (2.4%). 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.