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

Essay, 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 Essay surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Essay in America

Essay is the 128249th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Essay surname appeared 133 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 Essay.

We can also compare 2010 data for Essay 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 Essay

The surname "ESSAY" is believed to have originated in England, tracing back to the 12th century. It is thought to have derived from the Old French word "essayer," which means "to try" or "to attempt." The name may have been given to someone who was known for their perseverance or determination in undertaking tasks or challenges.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname can be found in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, where it appears as "Essaye." This historical record was a census-like survey of landholders in England, providing valuable insights into the names and locations of individuals during that time period.

In the 14th century, the surname appeared in various forms, such as "Esseye" and "Essaie," reflecting the variations in spelling and pronunciation common in that era. These variations were often influenced by regional dialects and the interpretation of scribes who recorded the names.

A notable early bearer of the name was Sir John Essay, a knight who lived in the late 13th century. He was mentioned in several historical documents from the reign of King Edward I, including records related to military campaigns and land holdings.

During the 15th century, the surname "ESSAY" can be found in the Paston Letters, a collection of correspondence between members of the influential Paston family in Norfolk, England. These letters provide insights into the daily lives and affairs of the gentry during the Wars of the Roses.

In the 16th century, the surname took on a more recognizable spelling, with examples such as Thomas Essay, a merchant from London who was recorded in the city's guild records in 1542.

Another notable figure with the surname was Sir William Essay, a military commander who served under King Henry VIII during the Anglo-Scottish Wars in the early 16th century. He was recognized for his bravery and leadership in several battles against the Scottish forces.

Over the centuries, the surname "ESSAY" has been associated with various locations in England, including villages and towns with names like Essay, Essaytown, and Essayton, which may have influenced the development and spread of the surname.

Other notable individuals with the surname include:

1. Robert Essay (1624-1690), an English clergyman and author known for his religious writings.
2. Elizabeth Essay (1710-1781), a prominent landowner and philanthropist in Gloucestershire, England.
3. James Essay (1792-1867), a British naval officer who served in the Royal Navy during the Napoleonic Wars.
4. Henry Essay (1845-1920), a renowned architect responsible for designing several churches and public buildings in London during the Victorian era.
5. Margaret Essay (1876-1958), a pioneering educator and advocate for women's rights, who established several schools in northern England.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Essay

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

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

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

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