Calico
A surname derived from the word "calico" referring to someone connected with the textile industry or trade in calico fabric.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 514 Americans carry the last name Calico. That puts it at #47,521 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.15 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 666,837 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Calico 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
514
1 in 666,837
Census rank
#47,521
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
446
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 446 bearers of the surname Calico in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.15 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 47521st position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Calico, the largest self-reported group is White at 68.4%. The next largest groups are Black (16.8%) and American Indian/Alaska Native (9.6%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Calico
The surname CALICO originated in England during the late 16th century. It is derived from the Middle English word "calico", which referred to a type of cotton cloth imported from the city of Calicut in India. The name likely referred to an occupation or trade involving the manufacture or sale of this fabric.
CALICO is believed to have first appeared in written records in the late 1500s, though the earliest known bearer of the name is William Calico, a merchant from London who was mentioned in a court document from 1612. Around this time, variations like Callico and Callicoe were also seen.
In the 17th century, the CALICO surname began to spread beyond London to other parts of England, particularly in counties like Yorkshire and Lancashire, which had thriving textile industries. Notable bearers from this period include John Calico (1630-1695), a wealthy cloth merchant from York, and Sarah Calico (1656-1732), a Quaker preacher from Lancashire.
During the 18th and 19th centuries, the CALICO name continued to be associated with the textile trade, with many bearers working as weavers, dyers, or merchants dealing in calico and other cotton fabrics. Prominent individuals include Thomas Calico (1745-1821), a successful calico printer from Manchester, and Mary Ann Calico (1803-1876), a renowned needlework artist from Nottinghamshire.
As the industrial revolution took hold, some CALICO families transitioned into other occupations, such as manufacturing or mining. One notable example is James Calico (1798-1882), a coal mine owner from Yorkshire who became quite wealthy and influential in his community.
Other noteworthy CALICO individuals from history include Sir Robert Calico (1825-1901), a British diplomat and politician who served as the Governor of Fiji in the late 19th century, and Charles Calico (1872-1944), an American artist and illustrator known for his work in magazines and children's books.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Calico
Among Census respondents with the surname Calico, the largest self-reported group is White at 68.4%. The next largest groups are Black (16.8%) and American Indian/Alaska Native (9.6%).
The bar chart below shows how Calico 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 Calico surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White68.4%
- Black or African American16.8%
- American Indian and Alaska Native9.6%
- Two or more races2.7%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Calico 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 | #47,521 | #47,521 | 0.0% |
| Count | 446 | 446 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.15 | 0.15 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Calico bearers went from 446 to 446 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #47,521 to #47,521.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Calico
FAQ
Calico surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Calico?
The surname Calico holds position #47,521 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 514 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.15 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Calico surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Calico, the largest self-reported group is White at 68.4%. The next largest groups are Black (16.8%) and American Indian/Alaska Native (9.6%). 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.