Damon
A surname of Greek origin meaning "to tame" or "to subdue."
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 8,775 Americans carry the last name Damon. That puts it at #4,695 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 2.56 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 39,060 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Damon 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
8.8K
1 in 39,060
Census rank
#4,695
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
2.6
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
7.6K
rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 7,555 bearers of the surname Damon in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 2.56 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 4695th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Damon, the largest self-reported group is White at 76.1%. The next largest groups are Black (13.5%) and American Indian/Alaska Native (4.6%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Damon
The surname Damon is of English origin, derived from the Old French name "Damin" or "Damine," which itself came from the Latin name "Dominus," meaning "Lord" or "Master." It is believed to have emerged as a surname during the Norman Conquest of England in the 11th century.
The earliest recorded instances of the name Damon are found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a comprehensive survey of landowners and properties in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. The name appears in various spellings, such as "Damin," "Damun," and "Damone," indicating its evolution over time.
One notable figure bearing the surname Damon was Sir Thomas Damon, a prominent English landowner and knight who lived in the 14th century. He was recorded as holding significant estates in Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire.
Another historical figure with the surname Damon was John Damon, a renowned English printer and publisher who lived in the 16th century. He is known for publishing several important works, including the first edition of Sir Thomas More's "Utopia" in 1516.
In the 17th century, Robert Damon, a merchant and ship owner from Bristol, England, gained recognition for his successful trading ventures with the West Indies and the American colonies.
During the 18th century, the Damon surname was associated with several notable authors and poets, including Samuel Damon, whose works included "The Husbandman's Manual" and "The Art of Husbandry," published in the early 1700s.
The 19th century saw the rise of Henry Damon, a prominent American businessman and philanthropist from Massachusetts. He made significant contributions to the field of education and founded the Damon Memorial Library in his hometown.
Throughout its history, the surname Damon has been tied to various locations across England, such as Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, and Bristol, where it had a strong presence. The name has also spread to other parts of the world, particularly in the United States, where it was brought by English immigrants.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Damon
Among Census respondents with the surname Damon, the largest self-reported group is White at 76.1%. The next largest groups are Black (13.5%) and American Indian/Alaska Native (4.6%).
The bar chart below shows how Damon 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 Damon surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White76.1%
- Black or African American13.5%
- American Indian and Alaska Native4.6%
- Hispanic or Latino2.8%
- Two or more races1.7%
- Asian and Pacific Islander1.3%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Damon 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 | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #4,695 | #4,695 | 0.0% |
| Count | 7,555 | 7,555 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 2.56 | 2.56 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Damon bearers went from 7,555 to 7,555 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #4,695 to #4,695.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Damon
FAQ
Damon surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Damon?
The surname Damon holds position #4,695 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 8,775 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 2.56 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Damon surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Damon, the largest self-reported group is White at 76.1%. The next largest groups are Black (13.5%) and American Indian/Alaska Native (4.6%). 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.