Camby
French surname derived from a place name meaning "bent" or "crooked."
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 343 Americans carry the last name Camby. That puts it at #64,559 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 Camby 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
#64,559
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
308
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 308 bearers of the surname Camby in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.10 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 64559th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Camby, the largest self-reported group is White at 68.2%. The next largest groups are Black (21.8%) and Hispanic (4.9%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Camby
The surname CAMBY has its origins in France, with records dating back to the 12th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old French word "cambe," which referred to a bend or curve, likely describing a person who lived near a winding river or a curved path.
The name was initially concentrated in the northern regions of France, particularly in the areas around Paris and Normandy. Early records show variations in spelling, such as Cambie, Cambier, and Cambay, reflecting the fluid nature of surnames during that period.
One of the earliest documented references to the CAMBY name can be found in the Cartulaire de l'abbaye de Saint-Père de Chartres, a collection of charters from the 12th century. This manuscript mentions a certain "Robertus de Cambia" in 1184, who may have been a landowner or a notable figure in the region.
In the 13th century, the name appears in the Testa de Nevill, a survey of landholdings in England and Wales. This document records a "William de Camby" as a tenant in the county of Lincolnshire, suggesting that the name had spread to England through migration or Norman influence.
Notable individuals with the CAMBY surname include:
1. Jean de Camby (c. 1415-1480), a French diplomat and cleric who served as the Bishop of Toul from 1467 until his death.
2. Philippe de Camby (c. 1540-1615), a French military engineer and architect who worked on fortifications in various cities across France.
3. Antoine de Camby (c. 1600-1675), a French nobleman and landowner who held significant estates in the Normandy region.
4. Jacques de Camby (c. 1680-1745), a French artist known for his landscapes and portraiture, particularly of members of the French nobility.
5. Marie-Thérèse de Camby (1728-1803), a French writer and salonnière who hosted influential literary gatherings in Paris during the Enlightenment era.
Throughout its history, the CAMBY surname has also been associated with various place names in France, such as Cambray, Cambrai, and Cambeville, reflecting the geographic roots of the name's bearers. While the surname has spread globally over the centuries, its French origins and early recorded instances provide a rich tapestry of historical significance.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Camby
Among Census respondents with the surname Camby, the largest self-reported group is White at 68.2%. The next largest groups are Black (21.8%) and Hispanic (4.9%).
The bar chart below shows how Camby 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 Camby surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White68.2%
- Black or African American21.8%
- Hispanic or Latino4.9%
- Two or more races3.6%
- Asian and Pacific Islander1.6%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Camby 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 | #64,559 | #64,559 | 0.0% |
| Count | 308 | 308 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.10 | 0.10 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Camby bearers went from 308 to 308 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #64,559 to #64,559.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Camby
FAQ
Camby surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Camby?
The surname Camby holds position #64,559 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 Camby surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Camby, the largest self-reported group is White at 68.2%. The next largest groups are Black (21.8%) and Hispanic (4.9%). 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.