Blyth
A habitation name from any of several places in England named Blyth.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 1,063 Americans carry the last name Blyth. That puts it at #26,814 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.31 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 322,441 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Blyth 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
1.1K
1 in 322,441
Census rank
#26,814
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.3
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
907
rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 907 bearers of the surname Blyth in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.31 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 26814th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Blyth, the largest self-reported group is White at 96.9%. The next largest groups are Asian/Pacific Islander (0.8%) and Two or More Races (0.8%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Blyth
The surname Blyth originates from England and dates back to the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "blyđe," which meant "blithe" or "joyous." This suggests that the name may have originally referred to a cheerful or merry person.
In its earliest recorded forms, the surname appeared as Blithe or Blythe. It is found in various ancient records, including the Domesday Book of 1086, where it is mentioned as a place name in Nottinghamshire.
The earliest known bearer of the surname Blyth was Robert de Blythe, who was recorded in the Pipe Rolls of Northumberland in 1197. Another early reference is to Walter de Blythe, mentioned in the Assize Rolls of Yorkshire in 1219.
The name Blyth is also associated with several place names in England, such as Blyth in Northumberland and Blyth in Nottinghamshire. These locations likely derived their names from the Old English word "bliđe," meaning "gentle" or "pleasant," referring to the nature of the area.
One notable bearer of the surname was Sir John Blyth (c. 1465 - c. 1530), an English politician and diplomat who served as the Lord Mayor of London in 1521. Another prominent figure was Geoffrey Blyth (1580 - 1663), an English Puritan minister and author who wrote several religious works.
In the literary world, Samuel Blyth (1784 - 1831) was a Scottish poet and writer, best known for his collection of poems titled "The Cottager's Muse." Another writer was James Blyth (1839 - 1906), a Scottish author and journalist who contributed to various newspapers and magazines.
Lastly, Sir Benjamin Blyth (1819 - 1900) was a British civil servant and administrator who served as the Governor of the Bahamas from 1864 to 1871.
These are just a few examples of notable individuals who have borne the surname Blyth throughout history, highlighting its English origins and the diverse fields in which its bearers have made their mark.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Blyth
Among Census respondents with the surname Blyth, the largest self-reported group is White at 96.9%. The next largest groups are Asian/Pacific Islander (0.8%) and Two or More Races (0.8%).
The bar chart below shows how Blyth 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 Blyth surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White96.9%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.8%
- Two or more races0.8%
- Hispanic or Latino0.6%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Blyth 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 | #26,814 | #26,814 | 0.0% |
| Count | 907 | 907 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.31 | 0.31 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Blyth bearers went from 907 to 907 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #26,814 to #26,814.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Blyth
FAQ
Blyth surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Blyth?
The surname Blyth holds position #26,814 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 1,063 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.31 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Blyth surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Blyth, the largest self-reported group is White at 96.9%. The next largest groups are Asian/Pacific Islander (0.8%) and Two or More Races (0.8%). 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.