Gwynne
A Welsh habitational surname derived from the name of the town Gwynedd.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 583 Americans carry the last name Gwynne. That puts it at #44,034 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.17 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 587,915 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Gwynne 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
583
1 in 587,915
Census rank
#44,034
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.2
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
489
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 489 bearers of the surname Gwynne in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.17 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 44034th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Gwynne, the largest self-reported group is White at 90.2%. The next largest groups are Black (3.9%) and Hispanic (3.5%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Gwynne
The surname Gwynne is of Welsh origin, derived from the personal name Gwynn, which means "fair" or "white" in Welsh. This name was likely given to individuals with fair hair or complexion.
The earliest recorded use of the name Gwynne dates back to the 13th century in Wales. It is believed to have originated in the counties of Denbighshire, Flintshire, and Montgomeryshire, where it was particularly prominent.
In the 16th century, the surname Gwynne appeared in various records, such as the Muster Rolls of Denbighshire in 1539, where it was spelled as "Gwyn." The name was also documented in the Visitation of Shropshire in 1623, where it was recorded as "Gwynne."
One of the earliest notable individuals with the surname Gwynne was John Gwynne (c. 1558-1626), a Welsh clergyman who served as the Bishop of Raphoe in Ireland. Another prominent figure was Matthew Gwynne (1628-1688), a Welsh lawyer and politician who served as a Member of Parliament for St. Albans.
In the 18th century, the Gwynne family established themselves as prominent landowners in Wales. One notable member was Walter Gwynne (1692-1772), a Welsh lawyer and judge who served as a Justice of the King's Bench.
The surname Gwynne has also been associated with several literary figures. One example is Nell Gwynne (1650-1687), an English actress and mistress of King Charles II, who was known for her wit and charm. Another notable bearer of the name was Edmund Gwynne (1609-1675), an English physician and author who wrote on various medical topics.
Throughout history, the surname Gwynne has been subject to various spellings, such as Gwynn, Gwyn, and Gwinn, reflecting the evolution of the Welsh language and regional variations. However, the spelling "Gwynne" has become the most widely accepted form.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Gwynne
Among Census respondents with the surname Gwynne, the largest self-reported group is White at 90.2%. The next largest groups are Black (3.9%) and Hispanic (3.5%).
The bar chart below shows how Gwynne 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 Gwynne surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White90.2%
- Black or African American3.9%
- Hispanic or Latino3.5%
- Two or more races1.4%
- Asian and Pacific Islander1.0%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Gwynne 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 | #41,130 | #44,034 | -7.1% |
| Count | 500 | 489 | -2.2% |
| Per 100K | 0.19 | 0.17 | -10.5% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Gwynne bearers went from 500 to 489 (-2.2% change). The surname moved down 2,904 positions in the national ranking, going from #41,130 to #44,034.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Gwynne
FAQ
Gwynne surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Gwynne?
The surname Gwynne holds position #44,034 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 583 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.17 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Gwynne surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Gwynne, the largest self-reported group is White at 90.2%. The next largest groups are Black (3.9%) and Hispanic (3.5%). 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.