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

Furnish, 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 Furnish surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Furnish in America

Furnish is the 19997th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Furnish surname appeared 1,339 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 Furnish.

We can also compare 2010 data for Furnish 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 Furnish

The surname Furnish is believed to have originated in England, with records dating back to the 13th century. It is thought to be an occupational name derived from the Old French word "fornir," which means "to furnish or supply." This suggests that the name may have initially been given to someone whose occupation involved providing goods or services.

One of the earliest known bearers of the name was Robert le Furnisur, who was mentioned in the Assize Court Rolls of Staffordshire in 1279. This record provides evidence of the name's existence and its potential occupation-related origins during the medieval period.

In the 14th century, the name appeared in various forms, such as "Furnesour," "Furnysour," and "Furnissher," reflecting the variations in spelling and pronunciation that were common at the time. These variations also suggest potential connections to specific locations or regions within England.

One notable historical figure bearing the name Furnish was John Furnish, a prominent merchant and landowner who lived in the 16th century. Records indicate that he was a wealthy individual who owned properties in Gloucestershire and Somerset.

Another individual of note was Thomas Furnish, a soldier who fought in the English Civil War during the 17th century. He served under Oliver Cromwell and was known for his bravery on the battlefield.

In the 18th century, the name Furnish appeared in various parish records and documents throughout England, indicating its continued presence and distribution across different regions.

Samuel Furnish, born in 1745, was a well-known clockmaker and watchmaker based in London. His work was highly regarded, and several of his timepieces are still preserved in museums and private collections today.

During the 19th century, the Furnish surname was found in various parts of England, as well as in some areas of Scotland and Ireland, likely due to migration and intermarriage between different regions.

One notable figure from this period was William Furnish, a renowned architect born in 1832. He designed several notable buildings, including churches and public structures, in various cities across England.

While the Furnish surname may have originated as an occupational name, over time it became a hereditary surname passed down through generations. Its history serves as a testament to the rich cultural and linguistic diversity of England, reflecting the country's diverse heritage and the stories of those who bore this name throughout the centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Furnish

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

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

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

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