Bigelow
An English habitational surname derived from any of several places named Bigelow, meaning "big hollow" or "spacious low-lying area."
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 13,539 Americans carry the last name Bigelow. That puts it at #3,086 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 3.95 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 25,316 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Bigelow 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
14K
1 in 25,316
Census rank
#3,086
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
4.0
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
12K
uncommon in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 11,650 bearers of the surname Bigelow in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 3.95 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 3086th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Bigelow, the largest self-reported group is White at 86.8%. The next largest groups are Black (7.8%) and Two or More Races (2.1%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Bigelow
The surname Bigelow is of English origin and dates back to the early medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Old English words "bigel" meaning "building" and "hlaw" meaning "hill" or "mound." Thus, the name likely referred to someone who lived near a prominent building on a hill or a large man-made mound.
The name was first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, the great survey of England commissioned by William the Conqueror. It appeared as "Bigelowe," referring to a location in Nottinghamshire. Over time, various spellings emerged, such as Bigelow, Biglow, and Biggelow.
One of the earliest known bearers of the name was John Bigelow, who was born in Wrentham, Suffolk, England, around 1320. Records show that he was a landowner and a prominent member of the local community.
In the 16th century, the Bigelow family established themselves in the village of Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, which was once known as "Bigeloweswathe." This place name likely influenced the spelling and pronunciation of the surname.
Notable individuals with the Bigelow surname include:
1. John Bigelow (1817-1911), an American lawyer, diplomat, and writer. He served as the American consul in Paris during the American Civil War and later became the Secretary of State of New York.
2. Erastus Bigelow (1814-1879), an American industrialist and inventor. He is credited with developing the first power loom for weaving Brussels carpets, revolutionizing the carpet industry.
3. Poultney Bigelow (1855-1954), an American journalist and writer. He is best known for his work as a war correspondent during the Spanish-American War and the Boxer Rebellion in China.
4. Jacob Bigelow (1787-1879), an American physician and botanist. He was a professor at Harvard University and authored several influential works on medical botany and materia medica.
5. Melville Madison Bigelow (1846-1921), a Canadian-American engineer and inventor. He is credited with developing the Bigelow boiler, which was widely used in steam engines during the late 19th century.
The Bigelow surname has a rich history and has been borne by many notable individuals throughout the centuries, particularly in England and later in the United States and Canada.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Bigelow
Among Census respondents with the surname Bigelow, the largest self-reported group is White at 86.8%. The next largest groups are Black (7.8%) and Two or More Races (2.1%).
The bar chart below shows how Bigelow 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 Bigelow surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White86.8%
- Black or African American7.8%
- Two or more races2.1%
- Hispanic or Latino2.1%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.8%
- American Indian and Alaska Native0.5%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Bigelow 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 | #3,086 | #3,086 | 0.0% |
| Count | 11,650 | 11,650 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 3.95 | 3.95 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Bigelow bearers went from 11,650 to 11,650 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #3,086 to #3,086.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Bigelow
FAQ
Bigelow surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Bigelow?
The surname Bigelow holds position #3,086 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 13,539 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 3.95 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Bigelow surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Bigelow, the largest self-reported group is White at 86.8%. The next largest groups are Black (7.8%) and Two or More Races (2.1%). 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.