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

Garris, 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 Garris surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Garris in America

Garris is the 4823rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Garris surname appeared 7,316 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 2 people would have the surname Garris.

We can also compare 2010 data for Garris 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 Garris

The surname Garris is believed to have originated in France during the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Old French word "garre," which means "thicket" or "wooded area." This suggests that the name may have been initially given to someone who lived near a dense forest or woodland.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name appears in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a comprehensive survey of landholdings in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. The entry mentions a person named Geoffroy de Garis, whose name likely had a similar spelling and pronunciation to the modern Garris.

In the 13th century, there are records of a family named Garris residing in the region of Normandy, France. This area was known for its extensive woodlands, further reinforcing the connection between the name and its potential origins as a reference to someone living in or near a forested area.

One notable individual with the surname Garris was Jean Garris, a French painter and engraver who lived in the 16th century (c. 1500-1580). His works, which included religious subjects and landscapes, were highly regarded during his lifetime.

Another notable figure was Étienne Garris (1568-1635), a French nobleman and military officer who served under King Henry IV during the French Wars of Religion. He played a significant role in several battles and was rewarded with land and titles for his service.

In the 17th century, a branch of the Garris family settled in the town of Châteauneuf-sur-Loire, located in the Loire Valley region of France. This area was known for its vineyards and wine production, and it is possible that some members of the Garris family were involved in this industry.

In the 18th century, there are records of a Philippe Garris (1712-1789), a French philosopher and writer who was known for his works on ethics and morality. He was a contemporary of the famous Enlightenment thinkers of the time and contributed to the intellectual discourse of the era.

Another notable individual with the surname Garris was Jean-Baptiste Garris (1765-1832), a French military officer who served under Napoleon Bonaparte. He rose through the ranks and was eventually promoted to the rank of General, participating in several significant battles during the Napoleonic Wars.

While the surname Garris is not as common as some others, it has a rich history dating back to medieval times in France. Its origins are closely tied to the concept of wooded areas and thickets, reflecting the potential connection between the name and the natural environment.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Garris

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

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

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

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