Bisland last name popularity, history, and meaning

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

Meaning of Bisland

A surname likely derived from a place name or location.

Bisland, 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 Bisland surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Bisland in America

Bisland is the 132259th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Bisland surname appeared 118 times in the 2000 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Bisland.

The history of the last name Bisland

The surname Bisland finds its origins in Scotland, likely during the late medieval period. It is derived from the Old English words "biscop" meaning bishop and "land" meaning land or territory. This etymology suggests that the surname originally referred to a person who lived on or owned land that was under the jurisdiction of a bishop.

The earliest records of the Bisland surname can be traced back to Renfrewshire, a historic county in the west central Lowlands of Scotland. Old manuscripts and charters from the 14th and 15th centuries make mentions of the name. A notable reference is found in the Register of the Great Seal of Scotland, where the surname appears in various legal documents.

In the early 16th century, John Bisland is recorded as a landowner in Renfrewshire. His contributions to local governance were significant, and documents from the period provide details about his estate and family. John Bisland lived from around 1490 until his death in 1550, marking one of the earliest well-documented instances of the surname.

The surname appears with slight variations over the centuries, including Beslande and Bislande. These variations often depended on the phonetic spellings used in different regions and at different times. In the 17th century, Thomas Bisland made his mark as a prominent merchant in Glasgow. Born in 1615 and passing in 1683, his commercial activities helped establish the family's reputation in urban centers.

Another notable figure was Charles Bisland, born in 1702 in Renfrewshire. He became a renowned agriculturalist, contributing to advancements in Scottish farming practices. His innovative techniques were even documented in agricultural journals of the time, and he continued his work until his death in 1768.

The 19th century saw William Bisland, born in 1820, emerge as a significant industrialist during Scotland's industrial revolution. He was instrumental in the development of several manufacturing enterprises in Glasgow, and his legacy continued until his passing in 1891. His ventures provided employment and contributed to the prosperity of the region.

In scientific circles, Alexander Bisland, born in 1845, gained recognition for his work in natural sciences. He published several papers on the botany of the Scottish Highlands, making substantial contributions to the field. Alexander Bisland’s writings continued to be referenced long after his death in 1902, exemplifying the enduring impact of his work.

Through its history, the surname Bisland has been associated with various regions and notable figures in Scotland. Such historical records and contributions from individuals named Bisland solidify its legacy in the areas of governance, commerce, agriculture, industry, and science. The surname remains a testament to the diverse contributions of its bearers over several centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Bisland

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

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 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Bisland was:

Race/EthnicityPercentageTotal Occurrences
Non-Hispanic White Only95.76%113
Non-Hispanic Black Only0.00%0
Non-Hispanic Asian and Pacific Islander Only0.00%0
Non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaskan Native0.00%0
Non-Hispanic of Two or More Races(S)%(S)
Hispanic Origin(S)%(S)

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.

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

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

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