Budd
An English toponymic surname derived from a place name meaning "messenger," or referring to someone who lived near a hill.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 9,323 Americans carry the last name Budd. That puts it at #4,427 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 2.72 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 36,764 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Budd 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
9.3K
1 in 36,764
Census rank
#4,427
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
2.7
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
8.0K
rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 8,026 bearers of the surname Budd in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 2.72 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 4427th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Budd, the largest self-reported group is White at 85.8%. The next largest groups are Black (8.2%) and Hispanic (3.0%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Budd
The surname Budd originated in England, with records dating back to the 12th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "budda," meaning a messenger or a forerunner. The name is thought to have been an occupational surname given to those who served as messengers or heralds.
The earliest known record of the name Budd appears in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it is spelled as "Budde." This suggests that the surname was already well-established in parts of England by the late 11th century.
In the 13th century, the name was also found in various forms, such as "Budde," "Bude," and "Bud." These variations reflect the different dialects and spellings used in different regions of England during that time.
One notable early bearer of the name was Sir John Budd, who lived in the late 14th and early 15th centuries. He was a prominent landowner and served as a member of Parliament for Somerset in 1402.
Another significant figure with the surname Budd was William Budd, a physician born in 1811. He made important contributions to the understanding of infectious diseases, particularly in the field of typhoid fever. His work on the transmission of diseases through contaminated water and poor sanitation helped shape modern public health practices.
In the 16th century, the surname Budd was also found in the records of various places, such as Buddesleigh in Devon and Budd's Green in Essex. These place names likely originated from individuals bearing the surname Budd who lived or owned land in those areas.
Other notable individuals with the surname Budd include George Budd (1808-1888), a British physician and writer; Thomas Budd (1766-1846), an English horticulturist and nurseryman; and Cyril Budd (1892-1968), a British politician and member of Parliament.
Throughout its history, the surname Budd has been associated with various occupations, including messengers, heralds, landowners, physicians, horticulturists, and politicians. Its origins can be traced back to Old English, and it has maintained a presence in England for centuries, with various spelling variations emerging over time.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Budd
Among Census respondents with the surname Budd, the largest self-reported group is White at 85.8%. The next largest groups are Black (8.2%) and Hispanic (3.0%).
The bar chart below shows how Budd 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 Budd surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White85.8%
- Black or African American8.2%
- Hispanic or Latino3.0%
- Two or more races1.9%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.7%
- American Indian and Alaska Native0.5%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Budd 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 | #4,427 | #4,427 | 0.0% |
| Count | 8,026 | 8,026 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 2.72 | 2.72 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Budd bearers went from 8,026 to 8,026 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #4,427 to #4,427.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Budd
FAQ
Budd surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Budd?
The surname Budd holds position #4,427 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 9,323 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 2.72 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Budd surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Budd, the largest self-reported group is White at 85.8%. The next largest groups are Black (8.2%) and Hispanic (3.0%). 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.