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

Habit, 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 Habit surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Habit in America

Habit is the 148244th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Habit surname appeared 102 times in the 2000 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Habit.

The history of the last name Habit

The surname Habit is believed to have origins in medieval England, with its earliest formation dating back to the 12th century. The name is thought to be derived from the Old French word 'habit', which itself comes from the Latin 'habitare', meaning 'to dwell'. This suggests that the name might have originally been a nickname for someone known for their residence or their way of living. It is also possible that it could have referred to someone's attire or costume, 'habit' being an older term for clothing.

In the context of place names, there is no direct evidence suggesting a specific location associated with the surname Habit. However, similar sounding names and derivatives might be found in historical records. For instance, the Domesday Book of 1086 mentions various names with the root 'habit', though not directly tied to any one family’s lineage. The name Habit appears sporadically in early English records, suggesting it wasn't overly common but still notable.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Habit appears in a parish register from Norfolk in 1245, listing a John Habit as a tenant farmer. His recorded life was uneventful, though his name provides a valuable genealogy point. In the mid-14th century, records from the London Court Rolls mention a Thomas Habit involved in a local property dispute in 1367. Such legal documentation aids in tracing the migration and social status of the family lineage.

By the 15th century, the name appears in various guild records in urban centers such as York, where a William Habit is noted as a member of the Clothworkers' Company in 1482. Such guild involvement suggests that bearers of the Habit surname were skilled laborers and had established themselves within certain trade communities.

In literature, there are no notable mentions of the surname Habit until the Late Renaissance period. An Elizabeth Habit, born in 1603, is noted in the annals of the English Church, registering her significant fines for recusancy in 1630, highlighting her family’s Catholic faith during a period of Protestant dominance.

Closer to the 18th century, Samuel Habit, documented in 1732, becomes noteworthy in the annals of early American colonial history. He emigrated from England to the New World and settled in Virginia, where records indicate his involvement in local governance until his death in 1784, suggesting the surname had begun to spread beyond its English roots by this period.

Throughout these centuries, the Habit surname traveled through social strata, regions, and even crossed into new continents. Despite its sporadic mentions in records, its continuity demonstrates the enduring nature of surnames and how they can encapsulate both history and personal identity across generations.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Habit

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

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 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Habit 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.

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

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

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