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

Caldwell, 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 Caldwell surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Caldwell in America

Caldwell is the 327th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Caldwell surname appeared 93,944 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 32 people would have the surname Caldwell.

We can also compare 2010 data for Caldwell 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 Caldwell

The surname Caldwell has its origins in the Scottish Lowlands, deriving from the Old English words "cald" meaning "cold" and "well" referring to a spring or stream. It is believed to have originated as a place name, likely referring to a settlement near a cold water source.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name appears in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, which contains the names of Scottish landowners who swore allegiance to King Edward I of England. In this document, the name is listed as "Caldewelle."

In the 14th century, the name appeared in various Scottish records, including the Exchequer Rolls of Scotland, where it was spelled "Cauldwell" and "Caldwell." This suggests that the name had already begun to evolve and take on different spellings during this period.

A notable early bearer of the name was Sir John Caldwell (c. 1370-1432), a Scottish knight and landowner who served as a diplomat and ambassador for King James I of Scotland. He played a significant role in negotiations with England during the latter part of the Hundred Years' War.

Another prominent figure was James Caldwell (1639-1719), a Scottish minister and philosopher who served as the first Principal of the University of Glasgow. He was instrumental in establishing the university's curriculum and promoting the study of natural philosophy.

In the 18th century, the Caldwell family established itself in Ireland, with several members holding prominent positions. One such individual was Sir John Caldwell (1775-1842), an Irish politician and landowner who served as a Member of Parliament for County Fermanagh.

The name also has a strong presence in the United States, with many bearers tracing their ancestry back to Scottish and Irish immigrants. One notable American with the surname was Erskine Caldwell (1903-1987), a critically acclaimed novelist and author known for works such as "Tobacco Road" and "God's Little Acre."

Another significant figure was Sarah Caldwell (1924-2006), an American conductor and opera director who founded the Opera Company of Boston and played a crucial role in promoting contemporary opera in the United States.

Throughout its history, the surname Caldwell has been associated with various occupations and achievements, from landowners and diplomats to philosophers, politicians, and artists, reflecting the diverse backgrounds and contributions of those who have borne this name.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Caldwell

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

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

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

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