Haig
A Scottish surname derived from the name of a village near Kelso, Scotland.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 1,817 Americans carry the last name Haig. That puts it at #17,864 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.53 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 188,638 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Haig 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
1.8K
1 in 188,638
Census rank
#17,864
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.5
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
1.6K
rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 1,566 bearers of the surname Haig in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.53 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 17864th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Haig, the largest self-reported group is White at 87.8%. The next largest groups are Black (4.2%) and Asian/Pacific Islander (3.1%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Haig
The surname Haig has its origins in Scotland, and is believed to have emerged in the 12th century. It is thought to be derived from the Celtic word "haugh," meaning a meadow or low-lying area.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name is in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, which lists individuals who swore allegiance to King Edward I of England. The name appears as "Heyg" and "Hage" in these rolls.
The Haig surname is also associated with the place name Haig, a former estate located in the Scottish Borders region. This estate was once owned by the prominent Haig family, who were influential landowners and political figures in the area.
In the 16th century, the Haigs of Bemersyde were a notable branch of the family. Sir David Haig of Bemersyde (1535-1621) was a Scottish soldier and diplomat who served under King James VI of Scotland and later King James I of England.
Perhaps the most famous bearer of the Haig surname was Field Marshal Douglas Haig, 1st Earl Haig (1861-1928). He was a senior officer in the British Army and played a significant role as the commander of the British Expeditionary Force during the First World War.
Other notable individuals with the surname Haig include:
1. Alexander Haig (1924-2010), an American politician and former United States Secretary of State under President Ronald Reagan.
2. David Haig (born 1957), a British actor known for his roles in films such as "Four Weddings and a Funeral" and "The Thin Red Line."
3. Jane Haig (1923-1997), a British artist and sculptor who was known for her abstract works.
4. Robert Haig (1916-2002), a Scottish historian and author who wrote extensively about Scottish history and culture.
5. William Haig (1907-1999), a Canadian diplomat and former Canadian Ambassador to the United Nations.
The Haig surname has been carried by individuals from various backgrounds, including military figures, politicians, artists, and scholars. Its Scottish origins and associations with historical estates and events have contributed to its enduring presence throughout the centuries.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Haig
Among Census respondents with the surname Haig, the largest self-reported group is White at 87.8%. The next largest groups are Black (4.2%) and Asian/Pacific Islander (3.1%).
The bar chart below shows how Haig 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 Haig surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White87.8%
- Black or African American4.2%
- Asian and Pacific Islander3.1%
- Hispanic or Latino2.8%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Haig 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 | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #17,864 | #17,864 | 0.0% |
| Count | 1,566 | 1,566 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.53 | 0.53 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Haig bearers went from 1,566 to 1,566 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #17,864 to #17,864.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Haig
FAQ
Haig surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Haig?
The surname Haig holds position #17,864 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 1,817 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.53 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Haig surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Haig, the largest self-reported group is White at 87.8%. The next largest groups are Black (4.2%) and Asian/Pacific Islander (3.1%). 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.