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

Duster, 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 Duster surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Duster in America

Duster is the 84463rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Duster surname appeared 222 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 Duster.

We can also compare 2010 data for Duster 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 Duster

The surname "DUSTER" is thought to have originated in England during the late Middle Ages, derived from the Old English word "dūst," meaning "dust." This occupation-based surname was likely initially bestowed upon individuals who worked as dusters or cleaners, responsible for removing dust and debris from households or businesses.

One of the earliest known records of the name "DUSTER" can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Sussex from 1202, where a Thomas le Duster is mentioned. This suggests that the surname was already established by the early 13th century in Southern England.

During the 14th century, the surname appears to have spread across various regions of England, as evidenced by entries in historical records such as the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from 1327, which list a John Duster among the taxpayers.

The name's prevalence continued to grow in the following centuries, with notable individuals bearing the surname including William Duster, a merchant from Bristol recorded in the town's guild rolls in 1461. Additionally, a Thomas Duster was listed as a resident of Stratford-upon-Avon in 1598, hinting at a possible connection to the renowned playwright William Shakespeare.

In the 17th century, the surname "DUSTER" appeared in various parish records across England, such as the baptism of Elizabeth Duster in St. Giles Cripplegate, London, in 1642. This period also saw the emergence of variations in spelling, including "Dustar" and "Dustour."

Notable individuals with the surname "DUSTER" include Sir William Duster (1590-1658), an English lawyer and Member of Parliament during the reign of King Charles I. Another prominent figure was John Duster (1712-1788), a renowned clockmaker from London whose intricate timepieces were highly sought after by the nobility.

As the surname spread across the British Isles and beyond, various place names and locations became associated with it. For instance, the village of Dusteridge in Gloucestershire, England, is believed to have derived its name from the surname "DUSTER."

While the surname "DUSTER" is not among the most common in England, it has a rich history dating back to the Middle Ages, reflecting the occupational roots of many English surnames. The name's longevity and endurance serve as a testament to the important role played by those who worked as dusters and cleaners throughout the centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Duster

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

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

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

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