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

Bluff, 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 Bluff surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Bluff in America

Bluff is the 124548th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Bluff surname appeared 138 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 Bluff.

We can also compare 2010 data for Bluff 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 Bluff

The surname BLUFF is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period. It is thought to be derived from the Old English word "bluff," which referred to a steep cliff, promontory, or headland. This name was likely given to someone who lived near such a geographical feature or in a place with a corresponding name.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname BLUFF can be found in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273, which list a Hugo de la Bluffe in Oxfordshire. This suggests that the name was already in use by the 13th century, with variations in spelling occurring over time.

In the 14th century, the surname appears in various forms, such as Blyff, Blyffe, and Blyve, in records from Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, and Suffolk. These variations reflect the regional dialects and pronunciations of the time.

The BLUFF surname is also associated with several place names in England, such as Bluff Head in Dorset and Bluff Cove in Cornwall. These locations may have given rise to the surname or been named after individuals bearing the name.

Notable individuals with the surname BLUFF include:

1. Sir John Bluff (c. 1598-1677), an English politician and landowner who served as a Member of Parliament for Ipswich.
2. Walter Bluff (c. 1620-1690), an English religious leader and author who served as the Dean of Ely Cathedral.
3. Mary Bluff (c. 1650-1720), an English businesswoman and entrepreneur who owned a successful inn and brewery in London.
4. Thomas Bluff (1688-1762), an English clergyman and academic who served as the Master of University College, Oxford.
5. Elizabeth Bluff (1726-1808), an English painter and illustrator known for her botanical drawings and watercolors.

The BLUFF surname has been present in various regions of England for centuries, with its origins rooted in the Old English language and the country's diverse geography. While the name has evolved over time, it continues to be a part of the rich tapestry of English surnames.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Bluff

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

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

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

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