Cornish
Denoting a person from Cornwall, England, or referring to the Cornish language or people.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 9,357 Americans carry the last name Cornish. That puts it at #4,410 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 2.73 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 36,631 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Cornish 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
9.4K
1 in 36,631
Census rank
#4,410
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
2.7
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
8.1K
rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 8,050 bearers of the surname Cornish in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 2.73 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 4410th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Cornish, the largest self-reported group is White at 62.3%. The next largest groups are Black (31.7%) and Two or More Races (2.5%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Cornish
The surname Cornish originated from the county of Cornwall in the south-western region of England. It is a locational name derived from the Old English word "Cornwalum" meaning the people of Cornwall. The name first appeared in records during the 11th century.
The earliest recorded example of the surname Cornish can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a comprehensive record of landowners and properties commissioned by William the Conqueror. The name is listed as "Cornubiensis," the Latin form of Cornish, referring to individuals from Cornwall.
During the Middle Ages, the surname Cornish was often associated with individuals who migrated from Cornwall to other parts of England or abroad. It became a way to identify their place of origin and distinguish them from the local population.
One notable bearer of the surname was Sir William Cornish (c. 1470-1535), a Member of Parliament and Sheriff of Devon during the reign of King Henry VIII. Another prominent figure was Thomas Cornish (c. 1519-1608), a Church of England clergyman who served as the Bishop of Thetford and later the Bishop of Bristol.
In the 17th century, the Cornish surname gained recognition through the work of Samuel Cornish (1615-1670), a noted English theologian and writer who authored several religious treatises and sermons. His son, Henry Cornish (1658-1718), followed in his footsteps as a clergyman and served as the Dean of Peterborough Cathedral.
The name Cornish also has connections to the mining industry, as Cornwall was a significant center for tin and copper mining. One notable figure in this field was Joseph Cornish (1816-1902), a Cornish mining engineer and author who wrote extensively about mining practices and techniques.
Other notable individuals with the surname Cornish include:
- Hubert Cornish (1908-1986), a British actor known for his roles in several Carry On films.
- John Cornish (1917-2014), an American artist and illustrator renowned for his landscape paintings and illustrations.
- Vaughan Cornish (1880-1948), a British geographer and geologist who made significant contributions to the study of coastal landforms.
The surname Cornish has a rich history and has been borne by individuals from various walks of life, including politicians, clergy, authors, engineers, and artists, reflecting the diverse backgrounds and accomplishments of those who hailed from the county of Cornwall.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Cornish
Among Census respondents with the surname Cornish, the largest self-reported group is White at 62.3%. The next largest groups are Black (31.7%) and Two or More Races (2.5%).
The bar chart below shows how Cornish 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 Cornish surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White62.3%
- Black or African American31.7%
- Two or more races2.5%
- Hispanic or Latino2.5%
- American Indian and Alaska Native0.6%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.4%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Cornish 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 | #4,160 | #4,410 | -6.0% |
| Count | 7,887 | 8,050 | 2.1% |
| Per 100K | 2.92 | 2.73 | -6.5% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Cornish bearers went from 7,887 to 8,050 (+2.1% change). The surname moved down 250 positions in the national ranking, going from #4,160 to #4,410.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Cornish
FAQ
Cornish surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Cornish?
The surname Cornish holds position #4,410 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 9,357 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 2.73 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Cornish surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Cornish, the largest self-reported group is White at 62.3%. The next largest groups are Black (31.7%) and Two or More Races (2.5%). 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.