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

Ferriss, 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 Ferriss surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Ferriss in America

Ferriss is the 49461st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Ferriss surname appeared 425 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 Ferriss.

We can also compare 2010 data for Ferriss 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 Ferriss

The surname Ferriss is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period. It is thought to be derived from the Old French word "ferrier," which referred to a worker who dealt with iron or a blacksmith. This occupational surname suggests that the earliest bearers of this name were likely blacksmiths or ironworkers by trade.

The name Ferriss can be traced back to various regions in England, including Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, and Essex. It was often spelled differently in historical records, such as Ferris, Ferres, or Ferrers. These variations in spelling were common during the Middle Ages due to inconsistent record-keeping and the lack of standardized spelling conventions.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Ferriss can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. This document mentions a certain "Radulfus Ferrer" in Lincolnshire, indicating the presence of the name in England at that time.

In the 13th century, a notable figure named William Ferriss was appointed as the Sheriff of Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire. He played a significant role in the administration of these counties during the reign of King Henry III.

Another prominent individual with the surname Ferriss was Sir John Ferriss, who lived during the 15th century. He was a member of the gentry class and served as a Member of Parliament for the county of Hertfordshire in 1449.

During the 16th century, a man named Thomas Ferriss (c. 1520 - 1585) gained recognition as a prominent scholar and translator. He is best known for his English translations of several works by the Greek philosopher Plato.

In the 17th century, a clergyman named Richard Ferriss (1635 - 1698) made significant contributions to the Church of England. He served as the Archdeacon of Barnstaple and played a crucial role in the religious affairs of the region.

The surname Ferriss has also been associated with various place names in England, such as Ferris Hill in Worcestershire and Ferris Court in Kent. These place names likely derived from individuals with the Ferriss surname who once lived or owned land in those areas.

Throughout history, the Ferriss surname has been carried by individuals from diverse backgrounds, including blacksmiths, clergymen, scholars, and members of the gentry class. While the name may have evolved in spelling over time, its origins can be traced back to the occupational roots of ironworkers and blacksmiths in medieval England.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Ferriss

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

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

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

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