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

Fessenden, 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 Fessenden surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Fessenden in America

Fessenden is the 17639th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Fessenden surname appeared 1,593 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 Fessenden.

We can also compare 2010 data for Fessenden 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 Fessenden

The surname Fessenden originated in England and has its roots in the Old English language. It is believed to have derived from the combination of the Old English words "faesten" meaning a stronghold or fortress, and "denu" meaning a valley or dell. This suggests that the name may have originally referred to someone who lived near a fortified valley or a secure area in a valley.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Festedene" in reference to a place in Buckinghamshire. This entry provides evidence of the name's existence in England during the 11th century.

The Fessenden family is thought to have originated in the county of Berkshire, where the village of Fessenden or Fesenden was located. This place name likely gave rise to the surname, and records show that individuals bearing the name Fessenden resided in this area as early as the 13th century.

Notable individuals with the surname Fessenden include Thomas Fessenden (1550-1613), an English clergyman and academic who served as the Master of Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge. Another prominent figure was William Pitt Fessenden (1806-1869), an American politician and lawyer who served as the 26th United States Secretary of the Treasury under President Abraham Lincoln.

In the realm of literature, Reginald Fessenden (1866-1932) was a Canadian inventor and early pioneer of radio technology. He is credited with conducting the first audio radio broadcast in 1906, transmitting a radio program that included him playing the violin.

The Fessenden name can also be found in military history, with John Fessenden (1748-1813) serving as a colonel in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War.

Another notable figure was Thomas Green Fessenden (1771-1837), an American lawyer, author, and playwright. He is best known for his satirical play "Democracy Unveiled" and for his work as the editor of the New England Farmer newspaper.

The Fessenden surname has a rich history that spans several centuries and has been borne by individuals from various walks of life, including clergy, politicians, inventors, military personnel, and writers. Its origins can be traced back to Old English roots and its early presence in England, making it a significant part of the country's onomastic heritage.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Fessenden

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

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

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

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