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

Crittendon, 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 Crittendon surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Crittendon in America

Crittendon is the 16775th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Crittendon surname appeared 1,703 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Crittendon.

We can also compare 2010 data for Crittendon 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 Crittendon

The surname Crittendon is believed to have originated in England, likely during the medieval period. It is thought to be a locational surname, derived from a place name that has since been lost or obscured over time. One theory suggests that it may be connected to the Old English words "crytten" or "criten," which referred to a small dwelling or hut, and "dun," meaning a hill or elevated ground. This could indicate that the name initially referred to someone who lived in a humble abode on a hilltop or raised area.

Variations in spelling were common in earlier times due to inconsistent record-keeping and regional dialects. Some alternative spellings of the name that have been documented include Crittenden, Crittinden, and Cryttendon. These variations often reflected local pronunciation or the preferences of the record-keeper.

One of the earliest known references to the surname can be found in the Calendarium Genealogicum, a collection of historical records compiled by Charles Roberts in the late 16th century. This work mentions a Robert Crittendon who lived in Wiltshire, England, in the latter half of the 13th century.

Another notable early bearer of the name was Sir John Crittendon (c. 1370-1445), a Member of Parliament for Wiltshire during the reigns of Henry IV and Henry V. He was also a prominent landowner and served as Sheriff of Wiltshire in 1426.

In the 16th century, a Thomas Crittendon (c. 1510-1580) was a respected clergyman and author who served as the Dean of Wells Cathedral in Somerset. His work, "A Godly and Fruitful Treatise of Faith," was published in 1575 and is considered an important theological text of the Reformation era.

The name Crittendon can also be found in historical records related to the English Civil War. Captain William Crittendon (c. 1620-1678) was a Royalist officer who fought for King Charles I and was later involved in the Penruddock Uprising of 1655, an attempt to overthrow Oliver Cromwell's Protectorate.

In the 18th century, Sir John Crittendon (1707-1782) was a notable English politician and landowner who served as a Member of Parliament for Wiltshire from 1754 to 1768. He was also a philanthropist and contributed to the construction of several churches and schools in the region.

Over the centuries, the Crittendon surname has been carried by numerous individuals who have made their mark in various fields, including politics, religion, military service, and literature. While its exact origins may be shrouded in the mists of time, the name remains a testament to the rich tapestry of English history and the enduring legacy of its bearers.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Crittendon

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

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

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

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