Flanders
One who came from the Flanders region, which is now parts of Belgium, France, and the Netherlands.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 10,214 Americans carry the last name Flanders. That puts it at #4,043 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 2.98 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 33,557 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Flanders surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
10K
1 in 33,557
Census rank
#4,043
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
3.0
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
8.8K
uncommon in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 8,787 bearers of the surname Flanders in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 2.98 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 4043rd position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Flanders, the largest self-reported group is White at 85.4%. The next largest groups are Black (9.3%) and Hispanic (2.7%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Flanders
The surname Flanders originated in the region of Flanders, which spans parts of modern-day Belgium, France, and the Netherlands. The name first emerged in the Middle Ages, derived from the Old French term "Flandres," which referred to the inhabitants of this area.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Flanders can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of landholdings in England compiled in 1086 by order of William the Conqueror. The entry mentions a landowner named Ralph de Flandres, indicating the presence of individuals with this surname in England during the Norman period.
The name Flanders is closely associated with the County of Flanders, a historically significant region that played a pivotal role in the development of medieval Europe. This region, located in the Low Countries, was known for its prosperous cities, thriving textile industry, and influential mercantile activities.
Notable historical figures bearing the surname Flanders include Jan Flanders (c. 1285-1351), a Flemish statesman and diplomat who served as the ambassador of the County of Flanders to England during the reign of Edward III. Another prominent individual was Pieter Flanders (c. 1500-1567), a Flemish Renaissance painter renowned for his religious works and portraits.
In the literary realm, the surname Flanders is associated with the 16th-century poet and playwright, Everard Flanders (c. 1530-1590), whose works were influential in the development of Dutch literature. Additionally, the 17th-century Dutch Golden Age painter, Michiel Flanders (1620-1675), gained recognition for his genre scenes depicting everyday life in the Netherlands.
The surname Flanders also has connections to place names and older spellings. For instance, the town of Flanders, located in Suffolk County, New York, was established in the 17th century and likely derived its name from the region in Europe. Furthermore, variations in spelling, such as Flandres or Flaundres, were common in historical records.
Throughout history, the surname Flanders has been carried by individuals from diverse backgrounds, including artists, writers, politicians, and tradespeople, reflecting the rich cultural heritage and influence of the Flemish people across various spheres of society.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Flanders
Among Census respondents with the surname Flanders, the largest self-reported group is White at 85.4%. The next largest groups are Black (9.3%) and Hispanic (2.7%).
The bar chart below shows how Flanders bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Flanders surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White85.4%
- Black or African American9.3%
- Hispanic or Latino2.7%
- Two or more races1.6%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.6%
- American Indian and Alaska Native0.5%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Flanders surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2000 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #3,936 | #4,043 | -2.7% |
| Count | 8,291 | 8,787 | 6.0% |
| Per 100K | 3.07 | 2.98 | -2.9% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Flanders bearers went from 8,291 to 8,787 (+6.0% change). The surname moved down 107 positions in the national ranking, going from #3,936 to #4,043.
FAQ
Flanders surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Flanders?
The surname Flanders holds position #4,043 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 10,214 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 2.98 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Flanders surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Flanders, the largest self-reported group is White at 85.4%. The next largest groups are Black (9.3%) and Hispanic (2.7%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.