Capshaw
A surname possibly derived from the old English "capeshaw", referring to a dweller by the wood's edge.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 1,131 Americans carry the last name Capshaw. That puts it at #25,332 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.33 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 303,054 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Capshaw 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
1.1K
1 in 303,054
Census rank
#25,332
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.3
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
977
rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 977 bearers of the surname Capshaw in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.33 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 25332nd position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Capshaw, the largest self-reported group is White at 85.7%. The next largest groups are Black (5.8%) and Hispanic (3.8%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Capshaw
The surname Capshaw is of English origin, deriving from the Old English words "cæppe" meaning a cape or cloak, and "sceaga" meaning a small wood or grove. It is believed to have originated as a locational name, referring to someone who lived near a wooded area or grove where travellers often stopped to rest and take shelter under their capes or cloaks.
The earliest known record of the name Capshaw dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Capescoh" in the county of Lincolnshire. This entry suggests that the name was already established in England by the time of the Norman Conquest in 1066.
In the 13th century, the name was recorded as "Capshaghe" in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire, indicating that the name had spread to different parts of England by that time. The spelling variations continued, with "Capshaw" and "Capshowe" appearing in various records over the following centuries.
One of the earliest known bearers of the name was John Capshaw, a landowner from Derbyshire, who was mentioned in the Hundred Rolls of 1273. Another notable figure was Richard Capshaw, a merchant from London, who was recorded in the city's guild records in the late 15th century.
During the 16th and 17th centuries, the name Capshaw was particularly prevalent in the northern counties of England, such as Lancashire and Yorkshire. One notable bearer was William Capshaw (1560-1624), a renowned poet and playwright from Yorkshire, who is known for his work "The Shepherd's Garland."
In the 18th century, the name spread to other parts of England, and several Capshaws were recorded in parish records across the country. One notable figure was James Capshaw (1734-1801), a successful businessman and landowner from Gloucestershire.
As the centuries passed, the name Capshaw continued to be found in various parts of England, with some bearers migrating to other parts of the British Isles and beyond. Among the notable Capshaws in more recent history was Sir John Capshaw (1812-1891), a prominent politician and diplomat who served as the British Ambassador to Russia in the late 19th century.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Capshaw
Among Census respondents with the surname Capshaw, the largest self-reported group is White at 85.7%. The next largest groups are Black (5.8%) and Hispanic (3.8%).
The bar chart below shows how Capshaw 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 Capshaw surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White85.7%
- Black or African American5.8%
- Hispanic or Latino3.8%
- American Indian and Alaska Native2.6%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Capshaw 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 | #25,332 | #25,332 | 0.0% |
| Count | 977 | 977 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.33 | 0.33 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Capshaw bearers went from 977 to 977 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #25,332 to #25,332.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Capshaw
FAQ
Capshaw surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Capshaw?
The surname Capshaw holds position #25,332 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 1,131 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.33 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Capshaw surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Capshaw, the largest self-reported group is White at 85.7%. The next largest groups are Black (5.8%) and Hispanic (3.8%). 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.