Doug
A topographic surname derived from the Scottish Gaelic word "dubh" meaning dark or black, referring to someone living near a dark stream or hill.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 103 Americans carry the last name Doug. That puts it at #157,234 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.03 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 3,327,712 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Doug 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
103
1 in 3,327,712
Census rank
#157,234
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.0
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
103
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 103 bearers of the surname Doug in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.03 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 157234th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Doug, the largest self-reported group is White at 65.0%. The next largest groups are Black (17.5%) and Asian/Pacific Islander (8.7%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Doug
The surname "DOUG" has its origins in Scotland, where it is believed to have first emerged in the 12th century. It is thought to be a variant of the Scottish Gaelic name "Dougal," which itself is derived from the Gaelic words "dubh" meaning "dark" and "gall" meaning "stranger" or "foreigner."
The earliest recorded instances of the name "DOUG" can be found in various medieval Scottish charters and records from the 13th and 14th centuries. One notable example is the mention of a "William Doug" in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, a collection of instruments of homage and fealty to King Edward I of England.
During the 15th and 16th centuries, the name "DOUG" became well-established in various regions of Scotland, particularly in the Lowlands and Borders areas. It is believed that the name may have originated in or around the village of Douglasdale, located in South Lanarkshire.
One of the most prominent historical figures associated with the surname "DOUG" is Sir James Douglas (c. 1286 - 1330), a Scottish knight and close companion of King Robert the Bruce. He was known as "The Good Sir James" and played a crucial role in the Scottish Wars of Independence against England.
Another notable individual with the surname "DOUG" was Archibald Douglas, 6th Earl of Angus (c. 1489 - 1557), who was a powerful Scottish nobleman and military leader during the 16th century. He was involved in conflicts against both England and the Scottish Crown.
In the 17th century, the name "DOUG" can be found associated with various Scottish families, including the Douglases of Glenbervie and the Douglases of Cavers. One prominent figure from this period was Sir Robert Douglas of Glenbervie (1594 - 1674), a Scottish judge and antiquarian.
During the 18th and 19th centuries, the surname "DOUG" spread beyond Scotland as Scottish emigrants and settlers carried the name to various parts of the world, including North America, Australia, and New Zealand. One notable figure from this era was David Douglas (1799 - 1834), a Scottish botanist and explorer who traveled extensively in western North America and contributed significantly to the study of flora and fauna in the region.
Throughout its history, the surname "DOUG" has been associated with various places and locations, reflecting the movement and settlement patterns of those who bore the name. These include Douglasdale in South Lanarkshire, as well as various other places in Scotland, England, and beyond.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Doug
Among Census respondents with the surname Doug, the largest self-reported group is White at 65.0%. The next largest groups are Black (17.5%) and Asian/Pacific Islander (8.7%).
The bar chart below shows how Doug 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 Doug surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White65.0%
- Black or African American17.5%
- Asian and Pacific Islander8.7%
- Unknown or suppressed8.7%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Doug 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 | #95,091 | #157,234 | -65.4% |
| Count | 178 | 103 | -42.1% |
| Per 100K | 0.07 | 0.03 | -57.1% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Doug bearers went from 178 to 103 (-42.1% change). The surname moved down 62,143 positions in the national ranking, going from #95,091 to #157,234.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Doug
FAQ
Doug surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Doug?
The surname Doug holds position #157,234 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 103 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.03 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Doug surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Doug, the largest self-reported group is White at 65.0%. The next largest groups are Black (17.5%) and Asian/Pacific Islander (8.7%). 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.