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

Boards, 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 Boards surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Boards in America

Boards is the 68949th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Boards surname appeared 285 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 Boards.

We can also compare 2010 data for Boards 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 Boards

The surname Boards is of English origin, with its roots traced back to the 13th century. This name is believed to be derived from the Old English word "bord," which referred to a plank or board used for construction or building purposes. The earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in various medieval records, such as the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire from the year 1273, where one William Bord was listed.

During the Middle Ages, the name Boards was primarily associated with individuals whose occupation involved working with boards or planks, such as carpenters, woodworkers, or even builders of ships and boats. It is likely that the name originated as a descriptive term or nickname for someone skilled in these trades.

In the 14th century, the surname appears in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire, where a Robert le Bord was listed in 1327. The use of the prefix "le" before the surname was common during this period, indicating the French influence on English surnames.

One notable historical figure bearing the name Boards was Sir John Boards, a prominent merchant and politician who lived in the 15th century. He served as the Lord Mayor of London in 1472 and played a significant role in the city's governance during the tumultuous Wars of the Roses period.

Another individual of note was Thomas Boards (c. 1510-1585), a prominent clergyman and scholar who served as the Dean of Windsor from 1570 until his death. He was also the chaplain to Queen Elizabeth I and was known for his dedication to the Church of England.

In the 17th century, the Boards surname can be found in various parish records, such as the baptismal records of St. Mary's Church in Nottingham, where a William Boards was recorded in 1634. This suggests that the name had spread across different regions of England by this time.

During the 18th century, the Boards surname gained further recognition with the birth of John Boards (1720-1795), a renowned architect and surveyor who was responsible for the design and construction of several notable buildings in London, including the Foundling Hospital.

Another prominent figure was Samuel Boards (1738-1816), a British naval officer who served during the American Revolutionary War and the Napoleonic Wars. He rose to the rank of Admiral and played a crucial role in several significant naval engagements.

Throughout its history, the surname Boards has been associated with various professions and occupations, reflecting its origins as a name related to the craft of working with boards and planks. While the name may have evolved over time, its connection to the world of woodworking and construction remains a testament to its rich heritage.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Boards

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

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

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

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