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

Farnsworth, 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 Farnsworth surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Farnsworth in America

Farnsworth is the 2939th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Farnsworth surname appeared 12,203 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 4 people would have the surname Farnsworth.

We can also compare 2010 data for Farnsworth 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 Farnsworth

The surname Farnsworth originated in England, specifically in the county of Yorkshire. It is believed to have derived from the Old English words "fearn" meaning fern and "worth" meaning an enclosed settlement or farm. This suggests that the name likely referred to a person who lived near a fern-covered enclosure or farm.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Farnsworth can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive record of landowners and properties in England compiled in 1086 by order of William the Conqueror. The name appears as "Farneswurthe," indicating its long-standing presence in the region.

The Farnsworth family has a rich history, with notable members appearing in various records throughout the centuries. One such individual was Sir Thomas Farnsworth, a prominent landowner and military commander who lived in the 16th century. He played a significant role in the Wars of the Roses, supporting the House of Lancaster.

Another notable figure was John Farnsworth, born in 1616, who was one of the early settlers in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. He is believed to have arrived in America in the late 1630s and became a respected member of the community in Groton, Massachusetts.

In the 18th century, Benjamin Farnsworth, born in 1754, served as a soldier in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. He fought in several major battles, including the Battle of Saratoga, and his bravery and dedication were widely recognized.

The 19th century saw the rise of Isaac Farnsworth, born in 1808, who was a successful businessman and inventor. He is credited with developing several innovative farming implements, including an early version of the modern hay rake.

Moving into the 20th century, Philo T. Farnsworth, born in 1906, made a significant contribution to the world of technology. He is best known for his pioneering work in the development of the electronic television system, earning him the title of "the father of electronic television."

These are just a few examples of notable individuals with the surname Farnsworth, highlighting the rich history and diverse accomplishments associated with this name throughout the centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Farnsworth

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

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

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

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