Compston
An English localised surname likely derived from a place name in England.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 548 Americans carry the last name Compston. That puts it at #45,412 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.16 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 625,464 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Compston 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
548
1 in 625,464
Census rank
#45,412
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.2
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
471
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 471 bearers of the surname Compston in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.16 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 45412th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Compston, the largest self-reported group is White at 95.5%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (1.5%) and Asian/Pacific Islander (1.3%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Compston
The surname Compston is believed to have originated in England, specifically in the counties of Lancashire and Yorkshire. It is thought to have derived from a place name, possibly a town or village called Compston or a variation thereof. Records indicate that the name first appeared in the 13th century.
One of the earliest known references to the name can be found in the Subsidy Rolls of Lancashire from 1332, which mentions a Richard de Compeston. This suggests that the name may have originated from a place called Compeston or a similar spelling.
In the 15th century, the surname appeared in various forms, such as Compton, Compston, and Comstun. These variations likely resulted from differences in pronunciation and spelling conventions of the time.
The Compston surname has been associated with several notable individuals throughout history. One such person was Sir William Compston (1562-1634), a prominent English lawyer and judge who served as Chief Baron of the Exchequer during the reign of King James I.
Another notable figure was John Compston (1633-1701), an English Puritan minister and author who wrote several religious works, including "A Treatise on Repentance" and "The Christian's Duty in Afflictions."
In the 18th century, Thomas Compston (1740-1810) was a renowned English clockmaker and inventor. He is credited with developing a novel type of clock movement known as the "grass-hopper escapement."
During the 19th century, William Compston (1820-1892) was a noted English architect who designed several churches and public buildings in Lancashire and Yorkshire.
Another individual with the Compston surname was Mary Compston (1865-1948), an English suffragette and activist who campaigned for women's rights and voting reform in the early 20th century.
While the Compston surname may have originated from a specific place name, it has since spread across various regions of England and beyond, with many individuals bearing this name making significant contributions in various fields throughout history.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Compston
Among Census respondents with the surname Compston, the largest self-reported group is White at 95.5%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (1.5%) and Asian/Pacific Islander (1.3%).
The bar chart below shows how Compston 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 Compston surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White95.5%
- Hispanic or Latino1.5%
- Asian and Pacific Islander1.3%
- Two or more races1.3%
- Unknown or suppressed0.4%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Compston 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 | #44,430 | #45,412 | -2.2% |
| Count | 456 | 471 | 3.3% |
| Per 100K | 0.17 | 0.16 | -5.9% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Compston bearers went from 456 to 471 (+3.3% change). The surname moved down 982 positions in the national ranking, going from #44,430 to #45,412.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Compston
FAQ
Compston surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Compston?
The surname Compston holds position #45,412 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 548 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.16 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Compston surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Compston, the largest self-reported group is White at 95.5%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (1.5%) and Asian/Pacific Islander (1.3%). 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.