Beresford
A topographic surname derived from an Old English phrase meaning "bear's ford" or "stream frequented by bears."
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 1,714 Americans carry the last name Beresford. That puts it at #18,579 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.50 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 199,973 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Beresford 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
1.7K
1 in 199,973
Census rank
#18,579
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.5
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
1.5K
rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 1,484 bearers of the surname Beresford in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.50 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 18579th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Beresford, the largest self-reported group is White at 83.3%. The next largest groups are Black (9.2%) and Hispanic (4.0%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Beresford
The surname Beresford is of English origin, derived from the Old English words "bere" meaning "barley" and "ford" meaning "a shallow river crossing." It is believed to have originated in the medieval period, possibly as a locational name referring to a place where barley was grown near a ford or river crossing.
The earliest recorded instance of the name Beresford can be traced back to the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Beres-forde" in Yorkshire. This suggests that the name was already established in England by the late 11th century.
During the Middle Ages, the Beresfords were landowners and minor nobility in various parts of England, particularly in Derbyshire and Staffordshire. The name is associated with several places, such as Beresford Dale in Staffordshire and Beresford in Derbyshire.
One notable figure from the Beresford family was William Beresford (c. 1305-1361), who served as the Lord Chancellor of England under King Edward III. Another prominent individual was Humphrey Beresford (1536-1611), a wealthy landowner and Member of Parliament during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.
In the 17th century, the Beresford family gained prominence through their military exploits. Sir Tristram Beresford (1594-1673) was a distinguished cavalier during the English Civil War, serving under King Charles I. His son, Sir Michael Beresford (1637-1705), was also a notable military commander and served as the Governor of Dublin.
During the 18th and 19th centuries, several members of the Beresford family achieved high ranks and honors in the British Army. Lord William Carr Beresford (1768-1854) was a prominent military leader who played a significant role in the Napoleonic Wars, serving as the commander of the Portuguese army and later as the Master-General of the Ordnance.
Another notable figure was Lord John George Beresford (1773-1862), a British naval officer and politician who served as the First Lord of the Admiralty and was instrumental in promoting reforms in the Royal Navy.
The Beresford name has also been associated with various places in England, such as Beresford Hall in Staffordshire and Beresford Street in London, reflecting the family's historical influence and landholdings.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Beresford
Among Census respondents with the surname Beresford, the largest self-reported group is White at 83.3%. The next largest groups are Black (9.2%) and Hispanic (4.0%).
The bar chart below shows how Beresford 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 Beresford surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White83.3%
- Black or African American9.2%
- Hispanic or Latino4.0%
- American Indian and Alaska Native1.6%
- Asian and Pacific Islander1.1%
- Two or more races0.9%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Beresford 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 | #18,579 | #18,579 | 0.0% |
| Count | 1,484 | 1,484 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.50 | 0.50 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Beresford bearers went from 1,484 to 1,484 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #18,579 to #18,579.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Beresford
FAQ
Beresford surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Beresford?
The surname Beresford holds position #18,579 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 1,714 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.50 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Beresford surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Beresford, the largest self-reported group is White at 83.3%. The next largest groups are Black (9.2%) and Hispanic (4.0%). 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.