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

Ferrett, 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 Ferrett surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Ferrett in America

Ferrett is the 72332nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Ferrett surname appeared 269 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 Ferrett.

We can also compare 2010 data for Ferrett 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 Ferrett

The surname Ferrett is believed to have originated in England during the late medieval period, deriving from the Middle English word "feret" or "ferret," which referred to the small, weasel-like mammal known for its ability to hunt rabbits and other small prey. The name likely originated as a nickname or occupational descriptor for individuals who worked with ferrets, either in hunting or as pest control agents.

Early recorded instances of the surname can be traced back to the 13th century, with variations such as Feret, Fereyt, and Ferret appearing in various historical records. One of the earliest known bearers of the name was a certain Robert Feret, mentioned in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire in 1283.

The Ferrett surname is also found in several medieval manuscripts and records, including the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from 1327, which listed a Thomas Feret. Additionally, the Hundred Rolls of Bedfordshire from 1279 recorded a Henry Feret, suggesting the name's presence across various regions of England during this time.

During the 16th and 17th centuries, the Ferrett name continued to spread throughout England, with notable individuals bearing the surname. For example, John Ferrett (c. 1540-1590) was an English politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Arundel during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.

Another prominent figure was William Ferrett (1673-1736), an English physician and author who wrote several medical treatises, including "An Apology for the Study of Physic" and "The Muses' Farewell to Popery and Slavery." He was born in Salisbury and gained recognition for his contributions to medical literature.

In the 18th century, Thomas Ferrett (1721-1781) was an English clergyman and author who served as the vicar of St. Mary's Church in Banbury, Oxfordshire. He is known for his publication "The Whole Duty of a Christian," which focused on religious instruction.

Moving into the 19th century, Sir William Ferrett (1809-1888) was a British architect who designed several notable buildings in London, including the Royal College of Surgeons and the Church of St. Peter upon Cornhill. He was knighted for his architectural achievements in 1873.

The Ferrett surname also has connections to various place names in England, such as Ferrett's Green in Kent and Ferrett's Field in Oxfordshire, suggesting the family's historical presence in these regions.

Overall, the surname Ferrett has a rich history rooted in medieval England, with its origins linked to the ferret animal and occupations associated with its use. Throughout the centuries, individuals bearing this name have left their mark in various fields, including politics, medicine, literature, and architecture.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Ferrett

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

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

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

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