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

Folston, 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 Folston surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Folston in America

Folston is the 80678th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Folston surname appeared 235 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 Folston.

We can also compare 2010 data for Folston 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 Folston

The surname FOLSTON is believed to have originated in England, with the earliest known records dating back to the 13th century. It is likely derived from a place name, which was a common practice during that time period. The name may have evolved from the Old English words "folc" meaning "people" and "tun" meaning "enclosure" or "settlement," suggesting that it referred to a settlement or village inhabited by a particular group of people.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name FOLSTON can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire from 1279, where a person named Geoffrey de Folstan is mentioned. This document, which recorded landholders and their properties, provides valuable insights into the name's origins and early usage.

In the 14th century, the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from 1327 mention a William Folston, indicating the name's presence in that region during that time. Similarly, the Poll Tax Returns of Yorkshire from 1379 list a John Folston, further solidifying the surname's presence in different parts of England.

A notable figure bearing the FOLSTON name was Sir Robert Folston, a wealthy landowner and member of the gentry who lived in the late 15th century. He is mentioned in several historical records, including the Court Rolls of Berkshire from 1487, where his name appears in connection with land disputes and legal proceedings.

During the Tudor period, the FOLSTON surname gained prominence with the birth of Edward Folston (1497-1572), a renowned scholar and theologian. He was educated at Oxford University and later became a chaplain to King Henry VIII, serving during a turbulent period in English history.

Another notable individual was Sir William Folston (1621-1688), a military officer who fought in the English Civil War and later served as a member of Parliament during the reign of Charles II. His name is recorded in various military records and parliamentary proceedings of the time.

In the 18th century, the FOLSTON name gained literary recognition with the birth of Mary Folston (1746-1832), a celebrated poet and novelist. Her works, including the popular novel "The Mysterious Stranger," were widely read and praised during her lifetime.

Throughout its history, the surname FOLSTON has been associated with various geographical locations in England, including Oxfordshire, Worcestershire, Yorkshire, and Berkshire, among others. While the name may have evolved over time, its roots can be traced back to the Middle Ages, reflecting the rich tapestry of English history and the significance of place names in shaping surnames.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Folston

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

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

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

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