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

Belfast, 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 Belfast surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Belfast in America

Belfast is the 152628th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Belfast surname appeared 107 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 Belfast.

The history of the last name Belfast

The surname "Belfast" is derived from the name of the capital city of Northern Ireland, which is believed to have originated from the Irish Gaelic phrase "Béal Feirste", meaning "mouth of the sandbanks" or "approach to the ford". This suggests that the name may have initially referred to a geographical location or settlement near a river or ford.

The earliest recorded use of the name "Belfast" dates back to the late 12th century, when it was mentioned in the Annals of Ulster as "Bel Feirsde". Over time, the spelling evolved into various forms, such as "Belfaste", "Belffaste", and eventually, the modern "Belfast".

While the surname itself is relatively rare, it is likely that it originated from individuals who either lived in or had a connection to the city of Belfast, possibly as early as the medieval period. As the city grew in importance, particularly during the Industrial Revolution, the surname may have become more widespread.

One notable historical figure with the surname "Belfast" was Sir John Belfast (1570-1645), an English politician and landowner who served as a Member of Parliament in the early 17th century. He is believed to have acquired lands in Ireland, which may have contributed to the adoption of the surname.

Another individual of note was William Belfast (1790-1864), a Scottish-born merchant and industrialist who played a significant role in the development of the linen industry in Belfast during the 19th century.

In the realm of literature, the surname is associated with Joseph Belfast (1815-1887), an Irish-American writer and journalist who published several works exploring the Irish immigrant experience in the United States.

A more recent figure was Dr. Patrick Belfast (1901-1985), an Irish medical researcher and academic who made significant contributions to the study of infectious diseases and public health in the early 20th century.

While not as prevalent as some other surnames, "Belfast" holds a unique connection to the history and heritage of the city that bears its name, serving as a reminder of the diverse origins and influences that have shaped the cultural fabric of Northern Ireland.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Belfast

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

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

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

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