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

Bestman, 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 Bestman surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Bestman in America

Bestman is the 89069th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Bestman surname appeared 208 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 Bestman.

We can also compare 2010 data for Bestman 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 Bestman

The surname Bestman is of English origin, with its earliest recorded instances dating back to the 13th century. It is believed to have originated as an occupational name for a person who held the position of the "best man" or the chief attendant at a wedding ceremony.

In medieval England, the "best man" played a crucial role in ensuring the bride's safe passage to the wedding and was often a trusted friend or relative of the groom. The name may have been initially bestowed upon individuals who excelled in this role or were frequently chosen for the task.

One of the earliest known references to the surname Bestman can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire from the late 13th century, where a certain William le Bestman is mentioned. This record provides evidence of the name's existence and usage during that period.

As with many English surnames, the Bestman name underwent various spelling variations over the centuries, including Besteman,Bestemon, and Bestmon. These variations were often influenced by regional dialects and the preferences of scribes and record-keepers.

Notably, the Bestman surname appears in the renowned Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. This entry suggests that the name had already been established and in use during the Norman period.

One of the earliest recorded individuals bearing the Bestman surname was John Bestman, who lived in the 14th century and was a landowner in the county of Essex. Another notable figure was Sir Thomas Bestman, a prominent military commander who served during the Wars of the Roses in the 15th century.

In the 16th century, the name gained further prominence with the birth of William Bestman (1522-1588), a respected scholar and theologian who served as the Dean of Lincoln Cathedral. His contributions to the field of religious studies and his scholarly works left a lasting impact.

During the 17th century, the Bestman family established roots in various parts of England, with branches in Lincolnshire, Yorkshire, and Gloucestershire. One notable member was Robert Bestman (1621-1689), a successful merchant and landowner whose wealth and influence were significant in his local community.

The 18th century saw the rise of Sir Henry Bestman (1736-1802), a distinguished naval officer who played a crucial role in several battles during the American Revolutionary War. His bravery and leadership earned him widespread recognition and numerous honors.

As the centuries progressed, the Bestman surname continued to be associated with individuals of note, including authors, politicians, and professionals from various fields, further enriching the name's legacy and historical significance.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Bestman

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

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

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!