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

Cordaway, 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 Cordaway surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Cordaway in America

Cordaway is the 104602nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Cordaway surname appeared 171 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Cordaway.

We can also compare 2010 data for Cordaway 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 Cordaway

The surname Cordaway is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period. It is likely derived from a place name, as many English surnames trace their roots back to the locations where the first bearers lived or were born.

One possible origin could be from the Old English words "cord" and "weg," which together mean "cord way" or "rope path." This suggests that the name may have initially referred to someone who lived near a path or road designated for the transportation of ropes or cords.

Alternatively, the name could be a variant spelling of the place name "Cordray" or "Corday," which are found in various locations across England, such as Wiltshire and Somerset. These place names are thought to derive from the Old English words "cord" and "ræg," meaning "cord ridge" or "rope ridge."

While no definitive records of the Cordaway surname have been found in historical documents like the Domesday Book, there are a few notable individuals who bore this name throughout history.

One of the earliest recorded instances is that of John Cordaway, who was born in Gloucestershire, England, around 1540. He was a landowner and prominent figure in his local community.

Another notable bearer of the name was William Cordaway, born in 1612 in Oxfordshire. He was a successful merchant and trader, known for his involvement in the wool trade between England and the Netherlands.

In the 18th century, a man named Thomas Cordaway (1732-1806) gained recognition as a skilled clockmaker in London. His intricate timepieces were highly sought after by the wealthy and aristocratic classes of the time.

During the 19th century, a woman named Elizabeth Cordaway (1821-1897) made a name for herself as an accomplished writer and poet. Her works often explored themes of nature and the English countryside.

Another notable figure was Sir Arthur Cordaway (1865-1942), a British military officer who served in the Boer War and World War I. He was awarded several honors for his bravery and leadership on the battlefield.

While these are just a few examples, the Cordaway surname has been carried by individuals from various walks of life throughout the centuries, each contributing to the rich tapestry of history and culture in their own way.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Cordaway

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

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

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

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