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

Burnum, 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 Burnum surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Burnum in America

Burnum is the 84748th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Burnum surname appeared 221 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 Burnum.

We can also compare 2010 data for Burnum 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 Burnum

The surname Burnum is of English origin, tracing its roots back to the medieval period. It is believed to have originated from a locational surname, derived from a place name such as Burnham or Burnholme, both of which refer to a farmstead or village near a stream or brook.

The earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in various historical documents and records dating back to the 13th and 14th centuries. One notable example is the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from 1275, which mention a William de Burneham. This entry suggests that the name may have initially been spelled with variations like Burnham or Burneham.

During the 15th century, the Burnum surname appeared in various tax records and legal documents across different counties in England. One notable individual from this period was John Burnum, who was listed as a landowner in the Kent Feet of Fines from 1487.

By the 16th century, the spelling had evolved closer to its modern form, as evidenced by references to individuals such as Robert Burnum, who was born in Oxfordshire in 1532. Another notable figure was Elizabeth Burnum, a wealthy merchant from London, who was mentioned in the city's records in 1584.

In the 17th century, the Burnum name gained prominence with the birth of Sir Thomas Burnum (1628-1702), a renowned politician and landowner from Lincolnshire. He played a significant role in the English Civil War and served as a Member of Parliament.

Moving into the 18th century, the Burnum family continued to establish themselves in various parts of England. One notable figure was William Burnum (1721-1789), a prominent businessman and philanthropist from Yorkshire, who made significant contributions to the local community.

Throughout the 19th century, the Burnum surname was well-represented across various professions and sectors. One notable individual was Mary Burnum (1842-1912), a pioneering educator and suffragette from Lancashire, who advocated for women's rights and education reform.

As the centuries progressed, the Burnum name continued to spread and evolve, with individuals bearing this surname making their mark in various fields, from literature and the arts to science and politics. The legacy of this ancient English surname endures, reflecting the rich tapestry of history and culture woven into its origins.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Burnum

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

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

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

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