Bunce
A medieval English surname derived from the Old English word "bunce," meaning a bank, hillock, or low earthen wall.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 4,799 Americans carry the last name Bunce. That puts it at #8,023 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 1.40 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 71,422 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Bunce 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
4.8K
1 in 71,422
Census rank
#8,023
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
1.4
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
4.1K
rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 4,126 bearers of the surname Bunce in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 1.40 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 8023rd position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Bunce, the largest self-reported group is White at 92.5%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.6%) and Two or More Races (1.8%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Bunce
The surname Bunce originated in England and is believed to have derived from the Old English word "bunc," which means a lump or a hill. This name likely referred to a person who lived on or near a hill or a ridge.
The earliest known recording of the name Bunce dates back to the late 12th century, appearing in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire in 1195 as "Robert de la Bunce." This entry suggests that the name was initially used as a descriptive term for someone residing near a distinctive hill or mound.
In the Domesday Book of 1086, a record of landholders in England commissioned by William the Conqueror, there are several references to place names that may have influenced the surname Bunce. For instance, the village of Bunce in Norfolk and the manor of Bunce in Buckinghamshire are mentioned, indicating that the name was likely associated with these locations.
One of the earliest known individuals with the surname Bunce was Sir Thomas Bunce, born in 1369 in Gloucestershire. He was a prominent landowner and served as a Member of Parliament for Gloucestershire in 1390.
Another notable figure was John Bunce, a clergyman born in 1615 in Staffordshire. He authored several religious works and served as the rector of St. Michael's Church in Stoke-on-Trent.
In the 17th century, Edward Bunce (1620-1684) was a renowned English architect who designed several churches and public buildings in London, including the Church of St. Stephen Walbrook.
Mary Bunce (1731-1804), born in Suffolk, was a notable writer and playwright in the 18th century. Her most famous work was the play "The Victim," which tackled themes of gender inequality and social injustice.
In the 19th century, Sir Maurice Bunce (1828-1907) was a prominent British diplomat who served as the ambassador to several countries, including France and Russia.
Over the centuries, the surname Bunce has undergone various spelling variations, such as Bunse, Buncie, and Bonce, reflecting regional dialects and linguistic changes. However, the core meaning and origin of the name have remained consistent, rooted in the Old English reference to a hill or mound.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Bunce
Among Census respondents with the surname Bunce, the largest self-reported group is White at 92.5%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.6%) and Two or More Races (1.8%).
The bar chart below shows how Bunce 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 Bunce surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White92.5%
- Hispanic or Latino2.6%
- Two or more races1.8%
- Black or African American1.7%
- American Indian and Alaska Native0.8%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.7%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Bunce 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 | #8,023 | #8,023 | 0.0% |
| Count | 4,126 | 4,126 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 1.40 | 1.40 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Bunce bearers went from 4,126 to 4,126 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #8,023 to #8,023.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Bunce
FAQ
Bunce surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Bunce?
The surname Bunce holds position #8,023 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 4,799 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 1.40 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Bunce surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Bunce, the largest self-reported group is White at 92.5%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.6%) and Two or More Races (1.8%). 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.