Crisp
An English occupational surname referring to someone who curled or crimped hair or fabric.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 14,807 Americans carry the last name Crisp. That puts it at #2,830 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 4.32 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 23,148 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Crisp 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
15K
1 in 23,148
Census rank
#2,830
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
4.3
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
13K
uncommon in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 12,741 bearers of the surname Crisp in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 4.32 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 2830th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Crisp, the largest self-reported group is White at 81.7%. The next largest groups are Black (12.6%) and Hispanic (2.3%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Crisp
The surname Crisp originated in England and can be traced back to the early medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "crisp," which means "curly" or "crisp." This name was likely given as a nickname to someone with curly hair or a crisp, brisk demeanor.
The earliest known record of the name Crisp dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086, where it is listed as "Crispin." This spelling variation suggests that the name may have had Norman-French influences as well. Over time, the surname evolved into its modern form, "Crisp."
One of the earliest known bearers of the name was Sir William Crisp, a prominent landowner in Kent, England, who lived in the 13th century. In the 14th century, there are records of a Richard Crisp, a merchant from London, who was involved in the wool trade.
During the Tudor period, the Crisp family held significant influence in Suffolk, England. John Crisp (1590-1663) was a prominent Puritan minister and a member of the Westminster Assembly, which played a crucial role in the English Civil War and the establishment of the Commonwealth.
Another notable figure was Samuel Crisp (1619-1700), an English Particular Baptist minister known for his writings on the doctrine of free grace. He was a vocal opponent of the Calvinist doctrine of limited atonement.
In the 18th century, Sir Nicholas Crisp (1699-1780) was a prominent politician and served as the Member of Parliament for Winchelsea, Sussex. He was also a respected architect and designed several buildings in London.
The Crisp name has also been associated with various place names in England, such as Crisp's Farm in Kent and Crisp's Green in Hertfordshire. These place names likely originated from families bearing the Crisp surname who owned or lived in those areas.
Throughout history, the Crisp surname has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including landowners, merchants, ministers, politicians, and architects. While the name originated in England, it has since spread to other parts of the world through migration and immigration.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Crisp
Among Census respondents with the surname Crisp, the largest self-reported group is White at 81.7%. The next largest groups are Black (12.6%) and Hispanic (2.3%).
The bar chart below shows how Crisp 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 Crisp surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White81.7%
- Black or African American12.6%
- Hispanic or Latino2.3%
- Two or more races2.0%
- American Indian and Alaska Native0.8%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.6%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Crisp 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 | #2,640 | #2,830 | -7.2% |
| Count | 12,581 | 12,741 | 1.3% |
| Per 100K | 4.66 | 4.32 | -7.3% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Crisp bearers went from 12,581 to 12,741 (+1.3% change). The surname moved down 190 positions in the national ranking, going from #2,640 to #2,830.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Crisp
FAQ
Crisp surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Crisp?
The surname Crisp holds position #2,830 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 14,807 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 4.32 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Crisp surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Crisp, the largest self-reported group is White at 81.7%. The next largest groups are Black (12.6%) and Hispanic (2.3%). 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.