Core
An English surname of uncertain origin, possibly referring to someone who lived near an apple core or seed.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 4,422 Americans carry the last name Core. That puts it at #8,631 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 1.29 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 77,511 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Core 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
4.4K
1 in 77,511
Census rank
#8,631
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
1.3
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
3.8K
rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 3,810 bearers of the surname Core in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 1.29 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 8631st position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Core, the largest self-reported group is White at 67.9%. The next largest groups are Black (22.7%) and Hispanic (5.8%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Core
The surname CORE is of English origin and dates back to the late 12th century. It is derived from the Old English word "cor", meaning "hill" or "mound". The name was initially given as a descriptive surname to individuals who lived near a prominent hill or mound.
CORE is believed to have originated in the county of Derbyshire, England, where several early references to the name can be found in medieval records. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name appears in the Pipe Rolls of Derbyshire from 1195, which mentions a person named "William de la Core".
In the 13th century, the surname CORE started to appear in other regions of England, particularly in the neighboring counties of Staffordshire and Cheshire. This suggests that individuals bearing the name likely migrated or relocated from the original area of Derbyshire.
The Hundred Rolls of 1273, a census-like record of landowners in England, includes entries for individuals with the surname CORE, such as "Robert de la Core" and "Hugh de la Core". These early spellings often incorporated the French preposition "de la" before the surname, indicating the place of origin.
During the late medieval period, the surname CORE was occasionally spelled with variations, such as "Corre" or "Corr". These alternative spellings can be found in various historical documents from the 14th and 15th centuries.
Notable individuals with the surname CORE throughout history include:
1. Sir John Core (c. 1490 - 1556), an English politician and Member of Parliament for Derbyshire in the 16th century.
2. Thomas Core (1570 - 1635), an English clergyman and author who served as the Rector of Stoke Prior in Worcestershire.
3. Tobias Core (1628 - 1697), an English academic and mathematician who was a fellow of Christ's College, Cambridge.
4. Elizabeth Core (1673 - 1748), an English landowner and heiress who inherited substantial estates in Derbyshire and Staffordshire.
5. William Core (1795 - 1867), an English architect and surveyor who designed several notable buildings in London and the surrounding areas.
While the surname CORE has been present in historical records for centuries, it is not as prevalent as some other English surnames. However, it continues to be associated with its origins in the county of Derbyshire and the descriptive meaning of "hill" or "mound".
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Core
Among Census respondents with the surname Core, the largest self-reported group is White at 67.9%. The next largest groups are Black (22.7%) and Hispanic (5.8%).
The bar chart below shows how Core 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 Core surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White67.9%
- Black or African American22.7%
- Hispanic or Latino5.8%
- Two or more races2.3%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.8%
- American Indian and Alaska Native0.6%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Core 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 | #8,005 | #8,631 | -7.8% |
| Count | 3,824 | 3,810 | -0.4% |
| Per 100K | 1.42 | 1.29 | -9.2% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Core bearers went from 3,824 to 3,810 (-0.4% change). The surname moved down 626 positions in the national ranking, going from #8,005 to #8,631.
FAQ
Core surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Core?
The surname Core holds position #8,631 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 4,422 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 1.29 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Core surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Core, the largest self-reported group is White at 67.9%. The next largest groups are Black (22.7%) and Hispanic (5.8%). 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.