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

Eugene, 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 Eugene surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Eugene in America

Eugene is the 7870th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Eugene surname appeared 4,205 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 Eugene.

We can also compare 2010 data for Eugene 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 Eugene

The surname Eugene originated in Ancient Greece, derived from the Greek word "eugenes" which means "well-born" or "of noble birth." It was initially used as a personal name in the Byzantine Empire, before gradually evolving into a surname in various parts of Europe.

During the Middle Ages, the name Eugene was particularly popular among the nobility and aristocracy in regions such as France, Italy, and the Low Countries. One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Eugene can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086, where it appeared under the spelling "Eugenes."

In the 12th century, a prominent figure bearing the surname Eugene was Saint Eugene III, who served as Pope from 1145 to 1153. He played a significant role in the Second Crusade and worked towards resolving disputes between the Church and the Holy Roman Empire.

Another notable individual with the surname Eugene was Prince Eugene of Savoy (1663-1736), a renowned military commander and statesman who served under the Holy Roman Empire. He achieved great victories against the Ottoman Empire and was regarded as one of the most successful military leaders of his time.

In the realm of literature, the surname Eugene is associated with the Russian writer Eugene Onegin (1799-1837), whose novel in verse "Eugene Onegin" is considered a masterpiece of Russian literature and a classic of the romantic era.

During the 19th century, Eugene Delacroix (1798-1863), a French Romantic artist, made significant contributions to the world of art with his iconic paintings such as "Liberty Leading the People" and "The Death of Sardanapalus." His works are celebrated for their vibrant colors, dynamic compositions, and expressive brushwork.

In more recent history, Eugene V. Debs (1855-1926) was a prominent American labor leader and socialist who ran for President of the United States five times between 1900 and 1920. He played a crucial role in the formation of industrial unions and advocated for workers' rights and social reforms.

These are just a few examples of individuals who have borne the surname Eugene throughout history, highlighting its rich heritage and diverse cultural associations.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Eugene

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

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

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

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