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

Butts, 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 Butts surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Butts in America

Butts is the 1548th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Butts surname appeared 23,227 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 8 people would have the surname Butts.

We can also compare 2010 data for Butts 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 Butts

The surname Butts originates from England, with its roots dating back to the 13th century. The name is derived from the Old English word "butt," meaning a ridge of land or a piece of ground that juts out. It is believed that the surname was initially given to people who lived on or near such a geographical feature.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Butts can be found in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273, where a person named Richard de la Butte is mentioned. This early spelling variation highlights the connection to the Old English word for a ridge or promontory.

During the 14th century, the name appeared in various records, including the Poll Tax Returns of Yorkshire in 1379, which listed a Walter Butte. The Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire in 1327 also mentioned a John atte Butte, showcasing another variant spelling.

In the 15th century, the surname Butts became more widespread, and several notable individuals bore this name. One of the most prominent figures was Sir William Butts (c. 1490-1545), who served as a royal physician to King Henry VIII. He was highly respected for his medical expertise and played a significant role in the king's court.

Another notable figure was Sir William Butts (1573-1639), an English landowner and Member of Parliament who served as Sheriff of Norfolk in 1628. He was known for his involvement in local politics and his advocacy for the rights of Norfolk residents.

During the 16th and 17th centuries, the surname Butts was also associated with several places in England, such as Butts Close in Gloucestershire and Butts Farm in Somerset. These place names likely derived from the same Old English word and may have influenced the surname's development.

Throughout history, other individuals with the surname Butts have made their mark in various fields. Sir William Butts (1810-1882) was a British army officer who served in the Crimean War and later became a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath. John Butts (1728-1785) was an English lawyer and politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Bletchingley.

The surname Butts has a rich history rooted in the English landscape and has been borne by many notable individuals over the centuries, spanning various professions and backgrounds.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Butts

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

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

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

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