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

Bemis, 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 Bemis surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Bemis in America

Bemis is the 7093rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Bemis surname appeared 4,722 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 Bemis.

We can also compare 2010 data for Bemis 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 Bemis

The surname Bemis is of English origin and is believed to have originated in the county of Berkshire, England, during the late medieval period. The name is derived from the Old English words "beo" meaning "bee" and "mæs" meaning "meadow" or "pasture," likely referring to a location or area where beekeeping was practiced.

One of the earliest records of the name Bemis can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Beomesham," a place name in Berkshire. This suggests that the surname may have evolved from a locational name, referring to someone who hailed from the area known as "Beomesham" or a similar-sounding place.

In the 13th century, the name appears in various records as "Bemes," "Bemys," and "Beamys," reflecting the variations in spelling common during that time. One notable bearer of the name was Sir Thomas Bemys, a wealthy landowner and knight who lived in the late 14th century.

During the 16th and 17th centuries, the Bemis family was well-established in the county of Berkshire, with several members holding positions of prominence. One such individual was John Bemis (1556-1630), a successful merchant and alderman in the town of Reading.

The surname Bemis also found its way to the American colonies in the 17th century. One of the earliest recorded instances is that of Joseph Bemis (1619-1684), who emigrated from England to Massachusetts in 1638 and became a prominent figure in the town of Watertown.

Another notable bearer of the name was Deacon Ephraim Bemis (1701-1786), a prominent citizen of Framingham, Massachusetts, who played a significant role in the American Revolutionary War. His descendants went on to establish themselves in various parts of the United States, contributing to the widespread distribution of the surname.

Throughout history, the Bemis name has been associated with various professions and achievements. One notable figure was Albert Farwell Bemis (1870-1936), an American industrialist and inventor who founded the Bemis Bro. Bag Company, a leading manufacturer of paper bags and packaging materials.

While the origins of the Bemis surname can be traced back to medieval England, its bearers have left their mark on various parts of the world, making significant contributions in fields such as business, politics, and military service. The name continues to be carried on by families across different countries, a testament to its enduring legacy.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Bemis

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

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

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

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