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

Chickering, 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 Chickering surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Chickering in America

Chickering is the 29334th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Chickering surname appeared 806 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Chickering.

We can also compare 2010 data for Chickering 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 Chickering

The surname Chickering originates from England, with its roots tracing back to the late medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "cicor," meaning chickpea or a small, round object resembling a pea. This term was likely used as a descriptive nickname for someone with a rounded physique or a specific occupation involving small, round objects.

One of the earliest recorded appearances of the name Chickering can be found in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from 1327, where it was spelled "Chykeryng." This suggests that the name was already established in that region during the 14th century. Other early variations of the spelling include "Chikering" and "Chykerynge."

The Chickering surname has been documented in various historical records throughout the centuries. For instance, in the Hearth Tax Returns of 1670, a Thomas Chickering is listed as a resident of the village of Rowington in Warwickshire. Additionally, the parish records of Nuneaton, also in Warwickshire, mention a John Chickering who was born in 1685.

Notable individuals who bore the Chickering surname include Jonas Chickering (1798-1853), an American piano manufacturer who founded the prestigious Chickering & Sons piano company in Boston. His innovative designs and commitment to quality earned him a reputation as one of the leading piano makers of the 19th century.

Another prominent figure was Jesse Chickering (1870-1951), an American businessman and philanthropist who made significant contributions to the field of education. He donated funds to establish the Chickering School at Oberlin College, which aimed to provide scholarships and support for students pursuing careers in public service.

In the realm of literature, Arthur Chickering (1916-1997) was a renowned American psychologist and author who made significant contributions to the study of student development in higher education. His influential work, "Education and Identity," published in 1969, explored the complexities of identity formation during the college years.

Lastly, John Chickering (1609-1687) was an early settler in Massachusetts Bay Colony and is considered one of the founders of the town of Dedham. He and his family played a crucial role in the establishment and growth of the colonial community.

These individuals, along with many others throughout history, have carried the Chickering surname, contributing to various fields and leaving their mark on the cultural and social fabric of their respective eras.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Chickering

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

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

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

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