Cloud
An English surname derived from the Old English word "clud," referring to a hill or a mass of rock.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 16,898 Americans carry the last name Cloud. That puts it at #2,478 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 4.93 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 20,284 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Cloud 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
17K
1 in 20,284
Census rank
#2,478
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
4.9
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
15K
uncommon in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 14,555 bearers of the surname Cloud in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 4.93 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 2478th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Cloud, the largest self-reported group is White at 68.8%. The next largest groups are Black (17.2%) and American Indian/Alaska Native (6.8%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Cloud
The surname Cloud is of Anglo-Saxon origin, deriving from the Old English word 'clud' meaning a hill or a rock. The name first appeared in England during the 11th century, around the time of the Norman Conquest. It is believed to have originated in the county of Somerset, which was known for its rocky terrain and rolling hills.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Cloud can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a comprehensive survey of landowners and property holdings in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. The name appears as 'Cludd', likely referring to someone who lived near a prominent hill or rock formation.
In the 13th century, the name Cloud was found in various records from the county of Somerset, such as the Assize Rolls of 1268, where a certain William Cloud is mentioned. During this period, the name was often spelled as 'Clud' or 'Clode', reflecting the local dialect and pronunciation.
As the centuries progressed, the spelling of the name evolved, eventually becoming standardized as 'Cloud'. One notable bearer of this surname was Sir John Cloud (1619-1696), an English politician and landowner who served as a Member of Parliament for Somerset during the reign of Charles II.
Another significant figure was William Cloud (1776-1834), an American farmer and politician who served as a Representative from Virginia in the United States Congress from 1817 to 1821. He was also a veteran of the War of 1812.
In more recent history, the American singer and songwriter Judy Cloud (1935-2018) gained recognition for her contributions to the folk music scene. She was known for her powerful vocals and socially conscious lyrics.
The surname Cloud has also been associated with various place names throughout England, such as Cloudsley in Gloucestershire and Cloudshill in Hampshire, both of which likely derived their names from the local geography and the presence of prominent hills or rocky outcroppings.
While the surname Cloud may have originated from humble beginnings, referring to those who lived near notable hills or rocks, it has since grown to encompass a diverse range of individuals from various walks of life, each leaving their mark on history.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Cloud
Among Census respondents with the surname Cloud, the largest self-reported group is White at 68.8%. The next largest groups are Black (17.2%) and American Indian/Alaska Native (6.8%).
The bar chart below shows how Cloud 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 Cloud surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White68.8%
- Black or African American17.2%
- American Indian and Alaska Native6.8%
- Two or more races3.4%
- Hispanic or Latino3.2%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.5%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Cloud 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 | 2000 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #2,377 | #2,478 | -4.2% |
| Count | 13,985 | 14,555 | 4.1% |
| Per 100K | 5.18 | 4.93 | -4.8% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Cloud bearers went from 13,985 to 14,555 (+4.1% change). The surname moved down 101 positions in the national ranking, going from #2,377 to #2,478.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Cloud
FAQ
Cloud surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Cloud?
The surname Cloud holds position #2,478 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 16,898 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 4.93 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Cloud surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Cloud, the largest self-reported group is White at 68.8%. The next largest groups are Black (17.2%) and American Indian/Alaska Native (6.8%). 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.