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

Farnum, 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 Farnum surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Farnum in America

Farnum is the 13360th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Farnum surname appeared 2,281 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 Farnum.

We can also compare 2010 data for Farnum 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 Farnum

The surname Farnum has its origins in England, where it first emerged in the 11th century. It is believed to be derived from the Old English words "fearn" meaning fern, and "ham" meaning a homestead or village. This suggests that the name may have originally referred to a settlement or dwelling place situated near an area abundant with ferns.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Farnum can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a comprehensive survey of landowners and properties across England commissioned by William the Conqueror. This reference lends credence to the theory that the name has ancient Anglo-Saxon roots.

During the Middle Ages, the name appeared in various spellings, such as Ferneham, Fernham, and Farneham. These variants reflect the regional dialects and scribal variations of the time. The name was particularly prevalent in the counties of Hampshire, Surrey, and Sussex, where many of the earliest recorded Farnums resided.

One notable figure bearing this surname was Sir John Farnum, a prominent landowner and knight who lived during the 14th century. He was a member of the retinue of Edward, the Black Prince, and fought alongside him in the Battle of Crécy during the Hundred Years' War.

Another distinguished individual was Thomas Farnum (1540-1617), a wealthy merchant and benefactor from London. He made significant contributions to the rebuilding efforts of St. Paul's Cathedral after the Great Fire of London in 1666.

In the 17th century, the name Farnum gained recognition through the works of the poet and playwright, Benjamin Farnum (1641-1718). His plays, such as "The Constant Couple" and "The Lucky Chance," were widely acclaimed in their time.

Moving into the 18th century, we find Ezekiel Farnum (1720-1789), a notable figure in the American Revolutionary War. He served as a colonel in the Continental Army and was present at the Battle of Bunker Hill in 1775.

The 19th century saw the rise of John Villiers Farnum (1833-1907), a celebrated English architect known for his work on several iconic buildings, including the Royal Albert Hall and the Natural History Museum in London.

Throughout its long history, the surname Farnum has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including soldiers, merchants, artists, and professionals. While the exact origins of the name may be shrouded in the mists of time, its enduring presence across centuries is a testament to the rich tapestry of English heritage and ancestry.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Farnum

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

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

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

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