Bottoms
Derived from a place name or a topographical feature, likely referring to someone living in a valley or dell.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 5,073 Americans carry the last name Bottoms. That puts it at #7,620 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 1.48 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 67,564 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Bottoms 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
5.1K
1 in 67,564
Census rank
#7,620
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
1.5
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
4.4K
rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 4,357 bearers of the surname Bottoms in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 1.48 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 7620th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Bottoms, the largest self-reported group is White at 85.2%. The next largest groups are Black (9.1%) and Hispanic (2.2%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Bottoms
The surname Bottoms is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period. It is thought to be a topographic name, derived from the Old English word 'botm' which referred to a valley or a low-lying area of land. This suggests that the earliest bearers of this name lived in or near a valley or low-lying region.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the Bottoms name dates back to the late 12th century, where it appears in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire in 1199. This document lists a person named Robertus de Bothem, indicating that the name was in use during this time period and potentially derived from a place called Bothem or a similar variation.
The Bottoms surname can also be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive record of landholdings and property ownership in England compiled in 1086 by order of King William the Conqueror. This historic document mentions a place called 'Bodemas' in Lincolnshire, which could be an early spelling or variant of the place name that gave rise to the Bottoms surname.
During the 13th century, a notable individual named William de Bottoms is recorded as being a landowner in the county of Derbyshire. Another early bearer of the name was John Bottoms, who was born around 1450 in Yorkshire and served as a member of the local militia.
In the 16th century, a prominent figure named Sir Thomas Bottoms (1503-1571) was a wealthy merchant and philanthropist from London. He made significant contributions to the city and was a benefactor of several charitable organizations.
Moving into the 17th century, Samuel Bottoms (1619-1692) was an English clergyman and author who served as the Rector of All Saints' Church in Northampton. His published works include several religious treatises and sermons.
Another notable figure was Sir William Bottoms (1735-1818), a British naval officer who served during the American Revolutionary War and the Napoleonic Wars. He achieved the rank of Admiral and was knighted for his distinguished service.
The Bottoms surname has also been associated with various place names throughout England, such as Bottoms Village in Derbyshire, Bottoms Farm in Yorkshire, and Bottoms Lane in Lincolnshire, further solidifying its connection to geographic locations and topographic features.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Bottoms
Among Census respondents with the surname Bottoms, the largest self-reported group is White at 85.2%. The next largest groups are Black (9.1%) and Hispanic (2.2%).
The bar chart below shows how Bottoms 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 Bottoms surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White85.2%
- Black or African American9.1%
- Hispanic or Latino2.2%
- Two or more races2.2%
- American Indian and Alaska Native0.9%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.5%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Bottoms 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 | 2000 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #7,068 | #7,620 | -7.8% |
| Count | 4,363 | 4,357 | -0.1% |
| Per 100K | 1.62 | 1.48 | -8.6% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Bottoms bearers went from 4,363 to 4,357 (-0.1% change). The surname moved down 552 positions in the national ranking, going from #7,068 to #7,620.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Bottoms
FAQ
Bottoms surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Bottoms?
The surname Bottoms holds position #7,620 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 5,073 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 1.48 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Bottoms surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Bottoms, the largest self-reported group is White at 85.2%. The next largest groups are Black (9.1%) and Hispanic (2.2%). 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.