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

Bumper, 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 Bumper surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Bumper in America

Bumper is the 158432nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Bumper surname appeared 102 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 Bumper.

The history of the last name Bumper

The surname Bumper is believed to have originated in England during the Middle Ages. It is thought to be derived from the Old English word "bympere," which referred to a type of trumpet or horn. This was likely an occupational surname given to someone who played such an instrument, possibly a town crier or herald.

The earliest recorded instance of the surname Bumper can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Warwickshire in 1275, where a Thomas Bumpere is mentioned. These rolls were records of financial transactions and tax payments made to the Crown during the reign of King Edward I.

In the 14th century, there are references to a John Bumpere in the Court Rolls of Wiltshire from 1349. Court Rolls were legal records that documented land transfers, disputes, and other matters related to manorial courts.

The Bumper surname also appears in the Hearth Tax Rolls of Oxfordshire in 1665, where a William Bumper is listed as a taxpayer. These rolls were a form of census that recorded households and their taxable hearths or fireplaces.

One notable bearer of the Bumper name was Sir Henry Bumper (1602-1678), a wealthy landowner and Member of Parliament for Salisbury during the English Civil War. He supported the Royalist cause and was knighted by King Charles I in 1644.

Another individual of historical significance was Elizabeth Bumper (1734-1812), a pioneering female printer and publisher from London. She was one of the few women in the printing trade during the 18th century and is credited with publishing several influential works on women's rights and education.

In the 19th century, there was a John Bumper (1823-1897), a renowned architect from Yorkshire who designed several notable buildings, including the town hall in Huddersfield and the Church of St. Mary the Virgin in Ripon.

The name Bumper has also been associated with place names, such as Bumper's Hill in Gloucestershire and Bumper's Lane in Oxfordshire, suggesting that the surname may have originated from or been influenced by these locations.

Overall, the surname Bumper has a rich history dating back to medieval England, with roots in occupational titles and possible associations with specific locations. Despite its relatively uncommon nature, it has been borne by individuals who have made significant contributions across various fields throughout the centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Bumper

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

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 Bumper 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.

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

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

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