Connery
Scottish surname derived from a place name meaning "King's Point" or "King's Headland".
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 1,954 Americans carry the last name Connery. That puts it at #16,839 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.57 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 175,412 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Connery 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
2.0K
1 in 175,412
Census rank
#16,839
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.6
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
1.7K
rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 1,695 bearers of the surname Connery in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.57 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 16839th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Connery, the largest self-reported group is White at 91.5%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (3.1%) and Black (2.4%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Connery
The surname Connery has its origins in Scotland, tracing back to the 14th century. It is believed to be derived from the Gaelic word "conaire," which means "hound" or "wolf." This suggests that the name may have initially been a nickname for someone with wolf-like characteristics or perhaps a keen hunter.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Connery can be found in the Exchequer Rolls of Scotland, dating back to 1376. In these ancient records, a person named John Conary is mentioned, indicating the possible roots of the modern spelling.
In the 15th century, the name appeared in various forms, such as Connarie, Connary, and Connorie, reflecting the linguistic evolution and regional variations in pronunciation and spelling. These variations were common in medieval times before the standardization of surnames.
The Connery surname has been linked to several places in Scotland, most notably the parish of Connery in Aberdeenshire. This connection suggests that some bearers of the name may have derived their surname from the place where they lived or held land.
One of the most famous individuals with the surname Connery is Sir Sean Connery (1930-2020), the renowned Scottish actor best known for his portrayal of James Bond in several films. His acting career spanned over six decades, and he earned numerous accolades, including an Academy Award, two BAFTA Awards, and three Golden Globes.
Another notable figure was Sir Alexander Connery (1856-1925), a Scottish engineer and businessman who played a significant role in the development of the hydroelectric power industry in Canada. He was responsible for the construction of several major power plants and was knighted for his contributions to the industry.
In the 16th century, the Connery surname appeared in the Ragman Rolls, a collection of documents containing the names of Scottish landowners who swore allegiance to King Edward I of England in the late 13th and early 14th centuries. This historical record provides evidence of the name's presence in Scotland during that period.
The Connery family has also been associated with the Scottish clan system, specifically the Clan Donnachaidh, which traces its roots back to the ancient Celtic kingdom of Dál Riata. This connection suggests that some bearers of the Connery name may have ties to this influential clan.
Other notable individuals with the surname Connery include John Connery (1792-1871), a Scottish-born Canadian businessman and politician who served as a member of the Legislative Council of the Province of Canada, and James Connery (1858-1935), a Scottish-born American labor leader and one of the founders of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) union.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Connery
Among Census respondents with the surname Connery, the largest self-reported group is White at 91.5%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (3.1%) and Black (2.4%).
The bar chart below shows how Connery 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 Connery surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White91.5%
- Hispanic or Latino3.1%
- Black or African American2.4%
- Two or more races1.7%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.9%
- American Indian and Alaska Native0.4%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Connery 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 | #17,180 | #16,839 | 2.0% |
| Count | 1,521 | 1,695 | 11.4% |
| Per 100K | 0.56 | 0.57 | 1.8% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Connery bearers went from 1,521 to 1,695 (+11.4% change). The surname moved up 341 positions in the national ranking, going from #17,180 to #16,839.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Connery
FAQ
Connery surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Connery?
The surname Connery holds position #16,839 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 1,954 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.57 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Connery surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Connery, the largest self-reported group is White at 91.5%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (3.1%) and Black (2.4%). 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.