Durman
An English surname derived from the Old French word "dormant," meaning "sleeper" or "guard."
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 308 Americans carry the last name Durman. That puts it at #74,375 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.09 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 1,112,839 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Durman 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
308
1 in 1,112,839
Census rank
#74,375
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
260
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 260 bearers of the surname Durman in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.09 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 74375th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Durman, the largest self-reported group is White at 81.5%. The next largest groups are Black (9.6%) and American Indian/Alaska Native (4.2%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Durman
The surname Durman is of English origin, and it is believed to have emerged in the 16th century. It is thought to be derived from the Old English word "dure," meaning "door," and the suffix "-man," indicating a person or occupation. This suggests that the name may have originally referred to a doorkeeper or a person responsible for maintaining doors.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Durman can be found in the parish records of St. Bride's Church in London, where a William Durman was mentioned in 1588. The Durman family appears to have been concentrated in the counties of Gloucestershire and Somerset during this period.
In the 17th century, the Durman surname can be found in various historical documents, including the Protestation Returns of 1641-1642, which listed individuals who swore allegiance to the Protestant faith. A John Durman from Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire, was recorded in these returns.
During the 18th century, the Durman family continued to have a presence in the Gloucestershire and Somerset areas. In 1768, a Richard Durman was recorded as a resident of Alderley, Gloucestershire, in the Gloucestershire Poll Book.
One notable individual with the surname Durman was Thomas Durman (1657-1737), an English clergyman and author who served as the Rector of Eton College from 1711 until his death. He published several works, including a collection of sermons.
Another figure of note was William Durman (1782-1869), a British architect who designed several notable buildings in London, including the Church of St. Mary Magdalene in Paddington and the Church of St. Saviour in Walton Street.
In the 19th century, the Durman family continued to have a presence in various parts of England. John Durman (1810-1887) was a renowned botanist and horticulturist from Dorset, known for his contributions to the study of British flora.
Robert Durman (1864-1943) was a notable English cricketer who played for Somerset County Cricket Club in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
While the Durman surname has its roots in England, it has since spread to other parts of the world through migration and diaspora communities.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Durman
Among Census respondents with the surname Durman, the largest self-reported group is White at 81.5%. The next largest groups are Black (9.6%) and American Indian/Alaska Native (4.2%).
The bar chart below shows how Durman 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 Durman surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White81.5%
- Black or African American9.6%
- American Indian and Alaska Native4.2%
- Two or more races3.1%
- Unknown or suppressed1.5%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Durman 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 | #59,293 | #74,375 | -25.4% |
| Count | 319 | 260 | -18.5% |
| Per 100K | 0.12 | 0.09 | -25.0% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Durman bearers went from 319 to 260 (-18.5% change). The surname moved down 15,082 positions in the national ranking, going from #59,293 to #74,375.
FAQ
Durman surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Durman?
The surname Durman holds position #74,375 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 308 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.09 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Durman surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Durman, the largest self-reported group is White at 81.5%. The next largest groups are Black (9.6%) and American Indian/Alaska Native (4.2%). 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.