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

Bicknell, 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 Bicknell surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Bicknell in America

Bicknell is the 9592nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Bicknell surname appeared 3,389 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Bicknell.

We can also compare 2010 data for Bicknell 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 Bicknell

The surname Bicknell is of English origin and can be traced back to the 12th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English words "bic" meaning "a brook or stream" and "cnoll" meaning "a small hill or mound". This suggests that the name likely originated from a topographical feature, potentially referring to someone who lived near a small hill with a stream.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name Bicknell appears in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire in 1186, where it is spelled as "Bichenhill". This record indicates that the name was already in use during the late 12th century in the county of Gloucestershire.

The Bicknell surname is also found in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire in 1327, where it is recorded as "Bykenhulle". This variation in spelling highlights the evolution of the name over time and the regional differences in pronunciation and documentation.

In the 16th century, the Bicknell family had a notable presence in the village of Bicknor, located in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire. This place name is likely derived from the same Old English roots as the surname, further solidifying the connection between the name and the geographical features of the area.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname Bicknell was John Bicknell, who was born in 1540 in Siston, Gloucestershire. Another notable figure was Thomas Bicknell, a Puritan minister born in 1575 in Farnham, Surrey, who later emigrated to New England in the early 17th century.

In the 17th century, the Bicknell family had established a strong presence in the county of Kent. Zachary Bicknell, born in 1628 in Mayfield, East Sussex, was a prominent figure in the family during this period.

In the 18th century, James Bicknell (1737-1789), a British artist and engraver, gained recognition for his landscapes and portraits. He was born in London and is considered one of the most accomplished engravers of his time.

Another notable figure was Benjamin Bicknell (1781-1850), an English architect and surveyor who worked on several important projects, including the renovation of the Guildhall in London.

Throughout its history, the Bicknell surname has been associated with various professions and achievements, from ministers and artists to architects and surveyors, reflecting the diverse backgrounds of those who have carried this name.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Bicknell

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

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

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

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