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

Beshear, 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 Beshear surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Beshear in America

Beshear is the 67943rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Beshear surname appeared 290 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 Beshear.

We can also compare 2010 data for Beshear 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 Beshear

The surname BESHEAR is of English origin, tracing its roots back to the 16th century. It is believed to have originated from the Old English word "besciaru," which means "one who prunes or trims." This suggests that the name likely referred to an occupation or trade involving the trimming of trees or bushes.

The earliest recorded instances of the name BESHEAR can be found in parish records and manorial rolls from the counties of Warwickshire and Worcestershire in the English Midlands. One of the earliest known bearers of the name was John Beshear, who was mentioned in the Warwickshire Parish Records in 1586.

During the 17th century, the name BESHEAR began to appear in various historical documents, including the Hearth Tax Rolls of 1662 and the Poll Tax Returns of 1667. These records provide valuable insights into the geographical distribution of the name and its variants, such as Beshere and Besheare.

In the 18th century, the BESHEAR family started to migrate to other parts of England, as well as to the American colonies. Notable individuals from this period include William Beshear (1712-1789), a farmer from Worcestershire who settled in Virginia, and his son, Thomas Beshear (1745-1821), who fought in the American Revolutionary War.

As the name spread across the Atlantic, it underwent various spelling variations, reflecting the diverse regional accents and dialects of the time. Some of these variations include Beshear, Beshear, Besheare, and Beshier.

Among the notable figures bearing the BESHEAR surname are:

1. John Beshear (1792-1868), an early settler in Kentucky and a prominent farmer.
2. Joseph Beshear (1844-1921), a Union soldier during the American Civil War and a successful businessman.
3. Martha Beshear (1868-1953), an educator and advocate for women's rights in Missouri.
4. Edward Beshear (1910-1988), a respected attorney and judge in Illinois.
5. Steven L. Beshear (born 1944), the 61st Governor of Kentucky, serving from 2007 to 2015.

While the BESHEAR surname may have humble origins, it has left an indelible mark on various aspects of history, from military service and law to politics and education. The name's journey through the centuries reflects the diverse experiences and contributions of its bearers.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Beshear

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

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

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

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