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

Bunche, 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 Bunche surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Bunche in America

Bunche is the 74826th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Bunche surname appeared 258 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 Bunche.

We can also compare 2010 data for Bunche 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 Bunche

The surname Bunche has its origins in France, specifically in the northern region of Normandy, where it first appeared around the 12th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old French word "bunche," which translates to "hump" or "bump." This suggests that the name may have initially referred to a physical characteristic or a descriptive nickname given to an individual with a noticeable hump or curvature in their back.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Bunche surname can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Shropshire, England, from the year 1195. These rolls were administrative records maintained by the royal treasury, listing individuals who owed taxes or had financial transactions with the Crown. The entry refers to a person named "Robertus Bunche," indicating that the surname had already been established by that time.

During the Middle Ages, the Bunche family appeared to have settled in various parts of England, including Shropshire and Worcestershire. There are records of individuals bearing this name in ancient manuscripts, such as the Hundred Rolls of Worcestershire from 1273, which mentions a "Willelmus Bunche."

In the 14th century, the surname Bunche was also found in areas of Scotland, particularly in the county of Fife. One notable individual from this region was John Bunche, who lived in the late 14th century and was a prominent landowner and member of the local gentry.

The Bunche surname has also been associated with several notable figures throughout history. One such individual was Ralph Bunche, an American diplomat and political scientist who played a crucial role in mediating the 1949 Armistice Agreements between Israel and several Arab states. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1950 for his efforts, becoming the first African American to receive this prestigious honor.

Another notable bearer of the Bunche surname was Jean Bunche, a French playwright and author who lived in the 16th century. He was known for his satirical works and contributions to the French literary scene during the Renaissance period.

In the realm of literature, the surname Bunche is also associated with the American writer and social activist, Lila Bunche. Born in 1904, she was a prominent figure in the Harlem Renaissance movement and published several collections of poetry and short stories.

While the Bunche surname has its roots in France and has been present in various parts of Europe for centuries, it has also gained prominence in other regions due to migration and cultural exchange. The name has been carried by individuals from diverse backgrounds, reflecting the rich tapestry of human history and the spread of surnames across the globe.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Bunche

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

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

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!