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

Claflin, 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 Claflin surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Claflin in America

Claflin is the 16079th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Claflin surname appeared 1,801 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Claflin.

We can also compare 2010 data for Claflin 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 Claflin

The surname Claflin has its origins in England, tracing back to the medieval era. It is believed to have derived from the Old English words "clā" meaning "clay" and "flen" meaning "muddy place," indicating a connection to a location or settlement characterized by clay or muddy soil.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Clavlinges" in reference to a place in Hertfordshire. This suggests that the name may have initially been a toponymic surname, referring to someone who hailed from a specific locality.

Over the centuries, the name underwent various spelling variations, such as Claflin, Clafflin, Claflyn, and Clafling, reflecting the fluid nature of surname spellings in the Middle Ages.

Among notable historical figures bearing this surname is Robert Claflin (1691-1782), a prominent merchant and landowner in Massachusetts during the colonial era. He was involved in the maritime trade and played a significant role in the development of the town of Milford.

Another notable individual was William Claflin (1818-1905), who served as the 25th Governor of Massachusetts from 1869 to 1872. He was a prominent figure in the Republican Party and a successful businessman in the shoe manufacturing industry.

In the literary realm, Agnes Claflin (1875-1957), an American novelist and short story writer, gained recognition for her works depicting life in New England during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

John Claflin (1756-1815), a soldier and officer in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War, is also noteworthy for his military service and contributions to the nation's independence.

Lastly, Victoria Claflin Woodhull (1838-1927), an American leader of the women's suffrage movement and the first woman to run for President of the United States in 1872, is a significant figure associated with the Claflin surname.

These are just a few examples of individuals throughout history who carried the surname Claflin, highlighting its enduring presence and the diverse fields in which those bearing this name made their mark.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Claflin

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

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

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

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