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

Dunavant, 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 Dunavant surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Dunavant in America

Dunavant is the 20172nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Dunavant surname appeared 1,322 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Dunavant.

We can also compare 2010 data for Dunavant 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 Dunavant

The surname DUNAVANT is believed to have originated in England, though its precise roots can be traced back to the Norman Conquest of 1066. Some experts suggest that the name derives from the Old French phrase "dun avant," which translates to "hill before" or "in front of the hill." Others propose that it may have evolved from a place name, possibly a location with a similar-sounding moniker.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the DUNAVANT surname appears in the Domesday Book of 1086, a comprehensive record of land ownership and taxation in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. This entry provides evidence of the name's existence during the late 11th century, though the specific details surrounding the individual or family mentioned remain uncertain.

Over the centuries, various spellings of the name have emerged, including DUNNAVANT, DUNAVENT, and DUNAVINT, among others. These variations likely arose due to regional dialects, scribal errors, or personal preferences.

One notable figure bearing the DUNAVANT surname was Sir John Dunavant, a prominent English landowner and military commander who lived during the late 14th century. Records indicate that he was born around 1350 and played a crucial role in the Hundred Years' War against France.

Another individual of historical significance was William Dunavant, a merchant and landowner from Gloucestershire, England, who lived in the 16th century. Born in 1520, he amassed considerable wealth through his trading ventures and acquired extensive properties in the region.

In the realm of literature, Mary Dunavant, an English poet and author, gained recognition for her works published in the late 17th century. Born in 1645, she was celebrated for her poetic compositions and contributions to the literary scene of her time.

Moving into the 18th century, John Dunavant, a prominent architect from London, left a lasting legacy with his innovative designs and influential architectural works. Born in 1710, he was commissioned to construct several notable buildings, including churches and grand estates.

Lastly, one cannot overlook the accomplishments of Elizabeth Dunavant, a pioneering educator and advocate for women's rights in the 19th century. Born in 1820, she founded several schools and educational institutions aimed at providing equal opportunities for girls and women.

While the DUNAVANT surname may have originated from humble beginnings, its rich history spans centuries and encompasses individuals from various walks of life, each leaving an indelible mark on their respective fields and communities.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Dunavant

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

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

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!