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

Elmore, 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 Elmore surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Elmore in America

Elmore is the 1369th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Elmore surname appeared 25,774 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 9 people would have the surname Elmore.

We can also compare 2010 data for Elmore 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 Elmore

The surname Elmore is of English origin, derived from the Old English words 'el' meaning eel and 'mor' meaning marsh or swamp. It likely originated as a place name referring to a location where eels were found in abundance, such as a marshy area or wetland.

The earliest recorded instance of the name Elmore dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as 'Elmerugg' in Suffolk. This suggests that the name was already established in England by the late 11th century.

During the Middle Ages, the name was often spelled in various ways, including Elmer, Elmor, and Elmoure. These variations reflect the evolving spelling practices of the time and the influence of regional dialects.

One of the earliest known bearers of the Elmore name was William de Elmore, who was recorded in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire in 1191. This indicates that the name had spread beyond its original area and was being used as a hereditary surname by the late 12th century.

In the 13th century, the name appeared in several historical records, such as the Hundred Rolls of 1273, where it was recorded as 'Eylmor' in Oxfordshire. This spelling variation highlights the fluidity of surnames during this period.

The Elmore surname has been associated with various place names throughout England, including Elmore in Gloucestershire, Elmor in Worcestershire, and Elmer in Sussex. These place names likely derived from the same Old English roots as the surname itself.

Notable individuals with the surname Elmore include:

1. John Elmore (1787-1857), an American politician who served as the 13th Governor of Alabama.
2. Ralph Elmore (1916-2001), an American actor and stuntman known for his work in Western films.
3. Gertrude Elmore (1906-1998), an American author and playwright who wrote several works on African American history and culture.
4. William Elmore (1798-1869), an English painter and engraver known for his landscapes and portraiture.
5. Franklin Elmore (1799-1850), an American politician and lawyer who served as a U.S. Representative from South Carolina.

While the Elmore surname has been present in various regions of England since medieval times, it has also spread to other parts of the world through migration and settlement, carrying with it the rich history and cultural significance of its English origins.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Elmore

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

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

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

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