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

Dryer, 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 Dryer surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Dryer in America

Dryer is the 10607th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Dryer surname appeared 3,019 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 Dryer.

We can also compare 2010 data for Dryer 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 Dryer

The surname DRYER has its origins in England, dating back to the medieval era. It is believed to be derived from the Old English word "drigere," which referred to someone who worked as a drier of goods or materials, particularly in the textile industry.

The earliest known records of the DRYER surname can be traced back to the 13th century in various regions of England, including Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, and Norfolk. In some instances, the name was also spelled as "Drier" or "Dryer," reflecting the variations in spelling that were common during that period.

One of the earliest documented references to the DRYER surname can be found in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire, dating back to 1275, which mention a Thomas le Dryere. This record provides evidence of the occupation-based origin of the name, highlighting the connection to the profession of drying goods.

In the 14th century, the DRYER surname gained prominence in various parts of England. John Dryer, a notable figure from this era, was mentioned in the Court Rolls of the Manor of Wakefield in Yorkshire in 1345.

During the 16th century, the DRYER surname continued to be well-established in England. One notable individual from this period was William Dryer, who was born in Lincolnshire in 1525 and served as a prominent merchant and alderman in the city of London.

In the 17th century, the DRYER surname was found in various regions of England, including the counties of Norfolk, Oxfordshire, and Gloucestershire. A notable figure from this era was Thomas Dryer, born in 1638 in Norfolk, who served as a member of the English Parliament during the reign of King Charles II.

The 18th century saw the DRYER surname continue to spread across England, with several notable individuals bearing this name. One such person was John Dryer, born in 1712 in Gloucestershire, who gained recognition as a renowned clockmaker and contributed significantly to the development of timekeeping technology.

As the DRYER surname evolved over the centuries, it also found its way to other parts of the world through various migrations and explorations. Today, individuals bearing this surname can be found in various countries, carrying with them the rich history and legacy of their English roots.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Dryer

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

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

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

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