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

Ealy, 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 Ealy surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Ealy in America

Ealy is the 7543rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Ealy surname appeared 4,408 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 Ealy.

We can also compare 2010 data for Ealy 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 Ealy

The surname Ealy has its origins in England, with records dating back to the late 16th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "ealh," which means "temple" or "place of worship." Some historians also suggest that the name may have stemmed from a place name, possibly a settlement near a church or temple.

One of the earliest known references to the name Ealy can be found in the parish records of St. Mary's Church in Somerset, where a John Ealy was recorded in 1592. It is also documented that a William Ealy was born in Gloucestershire in 1618, providing evidence of the name's presence in the region during that period.

The Ealy surname has undergone various spelling variations over the centuries, including Ealey, Ealye, and Ealie. These variations can be attributed to the inconsistencies in record-keeping and the evolution of the English language over time.

In the 17th century, the Ealy name appeared in several historical documents, such as the Hearth Tax Rolls of 1662, which recorded households in various counties of England. One notable individual bearing the Ealy surname was Robert Ealy, a merchant who lived in London during the late 1600s and was involved in the thriving trade between England and the American colonies.

As the Ealy family spread across England, some members settled in different regions, leading to the formation of place names associated with the surname. For example, Ealytown was a small hamlet in Wiltshire, and Ealyford was a village in Somerset, both of which likely derived their names from Ealy families residing in those areas.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have carried the Ealy surname. One such figure was John Ealy (1688-1757), a renowned architect who contributed to the design of several churches and public buildings in the city of Bath. Another prominent Ealy was Elizabeth Ealy (1795-1872), a philanthropist and social reformer who dedicated her life to improving the living conditions of the poor in London's East End.

Other notable Ealys include Sir Thomas Ealy (1822-1898), a British diplomat who served as the ambassador to several European countries, and Samuel Ealy (1847-1923), a prominent industrialist who played a significant role in the development of the cotton industry in Lancashire.

While the Ealy surname may not be as widespread as some other English names, it has a rich history that spans several centuries and reflects the diverse experiences of those who have borne this name throughout the ages.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Ealy

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

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

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

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