Buyer
An occupational surname referring to someone who purchased or traded goods.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 343 Americans carry the last name Buyer. That puts it at #67,318 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.10 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 999,284 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Buyer 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
343
1 in 999,284
Census rank
#67,318
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
293
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 293 bearers of the surname Buyer in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.10 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 67318th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Buyer, the largest self-reported group is White at 95.6%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.4%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Buyer
The surname BUYER originated in England during the Middle Ages. It derives from the Old English word "bycgan," which means "to buy" or "to purchase." This surname likely emerged as an occupational name for someone involved in trade or commerce, such as a merchant or buyer of goods.
In medieval times, surnames were often used to distinguish people based on their professions or occupations. The BUYER surname may have been given to individuals who worked as buyers or traders, acquiring goods from various sources and selling them to others.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the BUYER surname can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire from 1230, where a person named Robert le Buyer is mentioned. These rolls were financial records maintained by the English Exchequer, providing insights into the surnames and occupations of individuals during that period.
The BUYER surname also appears in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire from 1273, which were administrative records compiled during the reign of King Edward I. In these rolls, a person named John le Buyer is listed, suggesting the surname's prevalence in different regions of England.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the BUYER surname. One example is Robert Buyer (c. 1510-1589), an English Protestant reformer and clergyman who served as the Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.
Another prominent figure with the BUYER surname was Henry Buyer (1642-1724), an English mathematician and astronomer. He made significant contributions to the field of mathematics and was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1666.
In the 18th century, William Buyer (1728-1804) was a renowned English painter and engraver. He is best known for his landscapes and portraits, some of which are housed in prestigious collections like the Tate Gallery in London.
The BUYER surname can also be found in historical records from Scotland. One notable example is John Buyer (1764-1839), a Scottish merchant and philanthropist who made significant contributions to the city of Glasgow through his charitable works and donations.
Finally, in the 19th century, Charles Buyer (1836-1901) was an English architect and surveyor. He designed several notable buildings in London, including the Grosvenor Hotel and the Royal Masonic School for Boys in Bushey.
While the BUYER surname has its roots in England and Scotland, it has spread to various parts of the world due to migration and immigration patterns over the centuries.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Buyer
Among Census respondents with the surname Buyer, the largest self-reported group is White at 95.6%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.4%).
The bar chart below shows how Buyer 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 Buyer surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White95.6%
- Hispanic or Latino2.4%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Buyer 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 | #67,318 | #67,318 | 0.0% |
| Count | 293 | 293 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.10 | 0.10 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Buyer bearers went from 293 to 293 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #67,318 to #67,318.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Buyer
FAQ
Buyer surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Buyer?
The surname Buyer holds position #67,318 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 343 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.10 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Buyer surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Buyer, the largest self-reported group is White at 95.6%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.4%). 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.