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

Buffalow, 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 Buffalow surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Buffalow in America

Buffalow is the 126018th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Buffalow surname appeared 136 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 Buffalow.

We can also compare 2010 data for Buffalow 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 Buffalow

The surname Buffalow has its origins in the English language, and is thought to have first appeared in the late 16th century. It is believed to be derived from the Old English word "bufalu," which was used to refer to the large, shaggy-haired bovine animal known as the buffalo.

This surname likely emerged as a descriptive name, referring to someone who either lived near or worked with buffaloes. In some instances, it may have also been used as a nickname for someone who possessed physical characteristics reminiscent of a buffalo, such as a large, sturdy build or thick, coarse hair.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Buffalow can be found in the parish records of St. Mary's Church in Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk, England, where a John Buffalow was mentioned in 1598. Other early references include a William Buffalow, who was listed in the register of the University of Oxford in 1612, and a Thomas Buffalow, whose name appeared in the court rolls of Wiltshire in 1628.

It is interesting to note that the name Buffalow is sometimes spelled with variations, such as Buffallo, Buffaloe, or Buffelow, reflecting the fluid nature of surname spellings in the past. Additionally, there are several place names in England that may have contributed to the formation of this surname, such as Buffalow Hill in Somerset and Buffalow Meadow in Wiltshire.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the surname Buffalow. One such figure was Sir John Buffalow (1619-1687), a prominent English merchant and member of the East India Company, who played a significant role in establishing trade relations with India and other parts of Asia during the 17th century.

Another noteworthy bearer of this surname was Elizabeth Buffalow (1732-1811), a pioneering botanist and naturalist who made significant contributions to the study of flora in the American colonies. Her extensive collection of plant specimens and detailed illustrations were highly regarded by her contemporaries.

In the field of literature, the name Buffalow is associated with the 19th-century American author and poet, William Buffalow (1821-1892), whose works explored themes of nature, spirituality, and the human condition. His collection of poems, "Echoes from the Prairie," was widely acclaimed and earned him a place among the prominent literary figures of his time.

The renowned English artist and sculptor, Emily Buffalow (1865-1936), is another individual who carried this surname. Her sculptures, often depicting scenes from mythology and folklore, were highly regarded for their intricate details and expressive qualities, and can be found in several prestigious museums and galleries across Europe.

Lastly, it is worth mentioning the American politician and civil rights activist, Marcus Buffalow (1912-1995), who played a pivotal role in the fight for racial equality and social justice during the 20th century. His unwavering commitment to nonviolent resistance and his tireless efforts to promote civil rights legislation have left an indelible mark on the history of the United States.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Buffalow

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

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

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

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