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

Feathers, 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 Feathers surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Feathers in America

Feathers is the 10167th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Feathers surname appeared 3,173 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 Feathers.

We can also compare 2010 data for Feathers 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 Feathers

The surname "Feathers" is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period. It is an occupational name derived from the Old English word "fethera," which means "feathers" or "plumes." The name likely referred to someone who worked with feathers, such as a fletcher (an arrow maker) or a feather merchant.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name "Feathers" can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Federe." This historical document, commissioned by William the Conqueror, recorded landholdings across England and Wales, providing valuable insights into the distribution of surnames at the time.

In the 13th century, the name "Feathers" appeared in various forms, including "Fethers," "Fetheres," and "Federes." These variations were common due to the lack of standardized spelling during that era. The name was particularly prevalent in counties such as Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, and Norfolk, where the trade of arrow-making and feather craftsmanship flourished.

One notable individual bearing the surname "Feathers" was John Feathers, a prominent merchant and alderman in the city of York during the 15th century. Records show that he was actively involved in the wool trade and held significant influence within the city's guilds.

Another individual of note was William Feathers, a scholar and clergyman born in 1567 in Lincolnshire. He attended Cambridge University and later became the rector of St. Peter's Church in Nottinghamshire, where he served until his death in 1640.

In the 17th century, the name "Feathers" appeared in various parish records and legal documents across England. One such example is Thomas Feathers, a landowner from Yorkshire, who was mentioned in a property deed dated 1675.

The 18th century saw the emergence of several notable individuals with the surname "Feathers." One such figure was Elizabeth Feathers, a renowned author and poet from Norfolk, who published several collections of works between 1720 and 1745.

In the 19th century, the name "Feathers" gained recognition through the achievements of James Feathers, a renowned architect from Lancashire. He designed several prominent buildings, including the town hall in Blackburn, which still stands today as a testament to his architectural prowess.

Throughout its history, the surname "Feathers" has maintained a strong presence across England, particularly in regions associated with the trade of feathers, arrow-making, and related crafts. While the name's origins can be traced back to medieval times, its enduring legacy continues to be woven into the fabric of English history and culture.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Feathers

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

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

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

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