Carvey
A surname derived from the occupation of a carver or sculptor.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 446 Americans carry the last name Carvey. That puts it at #53,538 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.13 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 768,507 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Carvey 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
446
1 in 768,507
Census rank
#53,538
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
386
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 386 bearers of the surname Carvey in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.13 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 53538th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Carvey, the largest self-reported group is White at 86.8%. The next largest groups are Black (8.8%) and Hispanic (2.9%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Carvey
The surname Carvey is of Anglo-Saxon origin, and is believed to have originated in England during the early medieval period. It is derived from the Old English word "carr," which referred to a rocky hill or outcropping of rocks. The "ey" suffix likely denotes a person who lived near or worked on such a rocky hill or outcrop.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Carvey can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it is listed as "Carueia." This suggests that the name was already well-established in England by the time of the Norman Conquest in 1066.
During the Middle Ages, the Carvey family is known to have resided in various regions of England, including Yorkshire, Lancashire, and Cheshire. The name is also closely tied to several place names, such as Carvy Hill in Lancashire and Carvy Brook in Yorkshire.
One notable historical figure with the surname Carvey was Sir William Carvey, a knight who fought in the Hundred Years' War during the 14th century. Another prominent individual was John Carvey (1550-1616), an English clergyman and scholar who served as the Dean of Christ Church, Oxford.
In the 17th century, the Carvey family gained prominence in the village of Carvy, located in the county of Derbyshire. This village is likely named after the family, and several members of the Carvey clan are recorded as residing there during this period.
Other notable individuals with the surname Carvey include:
1. Thomas Carvey (1670-1745), an English architect who designed several churches and public buildings in London.
2. Elizabeth Carvey (1725-1801), a renowned author and poet from Yorkshire.
3. Henry Carvey (1790-1868), a British naval officer who served in the Napoleonic Wars.
4. Samuel Carvey (1820-1895), an American politician and businessman from Pennsylvania.
5. Mary Carvey (1872-1953), a pioneering female physician and advocate for women's rights in the United States.
While the surname Carvey is not as common today as it once was, it remains an intriguing part of English heritage, with roots stretching back to the early medieval period and a rich history spanning several centuries.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Carvey
Among Census respondents with the surname Carvey, the largest self-reported group is White at 86.8%. The next largest groups are Black (8.8%) and Hispanic (2.9%).
The bar chart below shows how Carvey 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 Carvey surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White86.8%
- Black or African American8.8%
- Hispanic or Latino2.9%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Carvey 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 | #53,538 | #53,538 | 0.0% |
| Count | 386 | 386 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.13 | 0.13 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Carvey bearers went from 386 to 386 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #53,538 to #53,538.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Carvey
FAQ
Carvey surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Carvey?
The surname Carvey holds position #53,538 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 446 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.13 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Carvey surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Carvey, the largest self-reported group is White at 86.8%. The next largest groups are Black (8.8%) and Hispanic (2.9%). 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.