Close
An English toponymic surname derived from a place name meaning "an enclosure" or "a narrow passage between buildings."
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 11,002 Americans carry the last name Close. That puts it at #3,739 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 3.21 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 31,154 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Close 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
11K
1 in 31,154
Census rank
#3,739
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
3.2
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
9.5K
uncommon in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 9,474 bearers of the surname Close in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 3.21 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 3739th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Close, the largest self-reported group is White at 90.9%. The next largest groups are Black (4.2%) and Hispanic (2.2%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Close
The surname Close originated in England, with earliest records dating back to the late 12th century. It is derived from the Old English word "clos", meaning an enclosure or courtyard. The name likely referred to someone who lived near or worked at an enclosed area or field.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the Close surname appears in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire from 1273, which lists a William le Clos. The Hundred Rolls were administrative records kept during the reign of King Edward I.
In the 14th century, the name was also found in other areas of England, such as Yorkshire and Gloucestershire. Variations in spelling included Cloos, Cloose, and Closse. The surname may have originated from a place name, such as Close in Derbyshire or Closes in Staffordshire.
A notable early bearer of the name was Robert Close, a 15th-century English clergyman who served as the Bishop of Carlisle from 1450 to 1452.
During the 16th and 17th centuries, the Close surname continued to appear in various records and documents across England. One example is John Close, a renowned English musician and composer who lived from around 1520 to 1597.
In the 18th century, the Close family established themselves as prominent landowners and gentry in Northamptonshire. Sir Henry Close (1753-1845) was a respected member of this family and served as a magistrate and Deputy Lieutenant of the county.
Another notable figure was Francis Close (1797-1882), an English Anglican clergyman and social reformer. He was a vocal advocate for the abolition of slavery and played a significant role in the establishment of the Church Missionary Society.
In the 19th century, the Close surname was also found in Scotland, where it was sometimes spelled Closs or Cluese. One notable Scottish bearer of the name was John Close (1816-1890), a minister and author who wrote extensively on religious topics.
As the Close surname spread across the British Isles and beyond, it continued to be associated with various professions, including farming, trade, and the clergy. The name's origins as a reference to an enclosure or courtyard have been retained throughout its long history.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Close
Among Census respondents with the surname Close, the largest self-reported group is White at 90.9%. The next largest groups are Black (4.2%) and Hispanic (2.2%).
The bar chart below shows how Close 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 Close surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White90.9%
- Black or African American4.2%
- Hispanic or Latino2.2%
- Two or more races1.7%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.6%
- American Indian and Alaska Native0.3%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Close 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 | #3,739 | #3,739 | 0.0% |
| Count | 9,474 | 9,474 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 3.21 | 3.21 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Close bearers went from 9,474 to 9,474 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #3,739 to #3,739.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Close
FAQ
Close surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Close?
The surname Close holds position #3,739 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 11,002 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 3.21 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Close surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Close, the largest self-reported group is White at 90.9%. The next largest groups are Black (4.2%) and Hispanic (2.2%). 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.