Birney
An anglicized version of the Irish surname Ó Braonaigh, meaning "descendant of Braonach".
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 1,714 Americans carry the last name Birney. That puts it at #18,751 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 Birney 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
#18,751
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.5
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
1.5K
rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 1,463 bearers of the surname Birney in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.50 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 18751st position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Birney, the largest self-reported group is White at 93.1%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.7%) and Two or More Races (1.8%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Birney
The surname Birney is of Irish origin, and it is believed to have originated in the 16th century. The name is derived from the Gaelic words "bior" meaning "pointed" and "inis" meaning "island," which together translate to "pointed island."
The Birney surname was likely first used by families who resided on or near a pointed island, possibly in the area of County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. The earliest recorded spelling of the name appears to be "Birnye" in the Ulster Plantation Papers of 1619.
One of the earliest known references to the Birney name is found in the Hearth Money Rolls of 1663-1665, which were tax records for County Fermanagh. Several Birney families were listed in these records, indicating their presence in the region during that time.
In the 18th century, a notable figure with the Birney surname was James Birney (1792-1857), an American abolitionist and politician. He was born in Kentucky and later became a prominent leader in the anti-slavery movement, establishing the Liberty Party and running for President in 1840 and 1844 on an abolitionist platform.
Another historically significant individual with the Birney surname was David Birney (1939-2022), an American actor best known for his roles in the television series "St. Elsewhere" and "Bridget Loves Bernie." He was born in Los Angeles and had a successful career in both television and film.
In the 19th century, William Birney (1819-1907) was a Canadian-born American politician and lawyer who served as a Union Army officer during the American Civil War. He later became a prominent figure in the Republican Party and held several political positions, including Lieutenant Governor of Michigan.
In the early 20th century, Hoffman Birney (1891-1968) was an American educator and social activist. He was born in Philadelphia and dedicated his life to promoting racial equality and civil rights. He served as the president of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) from 1936 to 1951.
Another notable figure with the Birney surname was Alfred Birney (1865-1944), an American philanthropist and businessman. He was born in New York City and became a successful industrialist, later using his wealth to support various educational and charitable organizations.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Birney
Among Census respondents with the surname Birney, the largest self-reported group is White at 93.1%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.7%) and Two or More Races (1.8%).
The bar chart below shows how Birney 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 Birney surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White93.1%
- Hispanic or Latino2.7%
- Two or more races1.8%
- Asian and Pacific Islander1.3%
- Black or African American0.8%
- American Indian and Alaska Native0.4%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Birney 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 | #18,751 | #18,751 | 0.0% |
| Count | 1,463 | 1,463 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.50 | 0.50 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Birney bearers went from 1,463 to 1,463 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #18,751 to #18,751.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Birney
FAQ
Birney surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Birney?
The surname Birney holds position #18,751 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 Birney surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Birney, the largest self-reported group is White at 93.1%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.7%) and Two or More Races (1.8%). 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.