Find out how popular the last name Hammitt is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Hammitt.
A variant of the German surname Hammett, derived from the occupation of a metalworker.
Hammitt, 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 Hammitt surname is from the 2010 census data.
Hammitt is the 17951st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.
The Hammitt surname appeared 1,557 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Hammitt.
We can also compare 2010 data for Hammitt 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.
| 2010 | 2000 | Change (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | 17951 | 17054 | 5.12% |
| Count | 1,557 | 1,536 | 1.36% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.53 | 0.57 | -7.27% |
The surname Hammitt originates from England and dates back to the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Old English words "ham" and "hytt," which together translate to "homestead on a hill." This suggests that the earliest bearers of this name likely resided in a settlement or dwelling situated on a raised land formation.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the Hammitt surname can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of landholdings and population conducted in 1086 by order of William the Conqueror. The name appears as "Hamhyt," reflecting the spelling conventions of the time.
Throughout the Middle Ages, the name underwent various spelling variations, including Hamhytt, Hammyt, and Hammett, before eventually settling into its modern form of Hammitt. These variations often arose due to inconsistencies in record-keeping and regional dialects.
Notably, the Hammitt surname has been associated with several historical figures over the centuries. One such individual was John Hammitt (1530-1592), a prominent merchant and landowner from Gloucestershire, England. Records indicate that he owned substantial properties in the region and was a respected member of the local gentry.
Another notable bearer of the Hammitt name was Elizabeth Hammitt (1678-1743), a pioneering educator in colonial America. She established one of the first schools for girls in Massachusetts and was recognized for her progressive teaching methods.
In the 19th century, William Hammitt (1812-1887) gained recognition as a skilled architect and engineer. He was responsible for designing several notable landmarks in London, including the iconic Hammitt Bridge spanning the River Thames.
The name Hammitt has also been associated with various place names throughout England, particularly in areas where the surname was prominent. For instance, the village of Hammitt's Green in Oxfordshire is believed to have derived its name from a prominent local family bearing the Hammitt surname.
Another historical figure worth mentioning is Sir Robert Hammitt (1841-1918), a distinguished military officer who served in the British Army during the Victorian era. He gained acclaim for his bravery and leadership during the Second Boer War and was later knighted for his service.
While the Hammitt surname has endured for centuries, its origins can be traced back to the English medieval period, when it likely identified individuals residing in a homestead situated on a hill. Over time, the name has been borne by various notable individuals across different fields, leaving an indelible mark on history.
We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Hammitt.
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:
For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Hammitt was:
| Race/Ethnicity | Percentage | Total Occurrences |
|---|---|---|
| Non-Hispanic White Only | 88.05% | 1,371 |
| Non-Hispanic Black Only | 4.37% | 68 |
| Non-Hispanic Asian and Pacific Islander Only | 0.51% | 8 |
| Non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaskan Native | 2.57% | 40 |
| Non-Hispanic of Two or More Races | 3.40% | 53 |
| Hispanic Origin | 1.09% | 17 |
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 Hammitt has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.
| 2010 | 2000 | Change (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 88.05% | 89.00% | -1.07% |
| Black | 4.37% | 4.62% | -5.56% |
| Asian and Pacific Islander | 0.51% | 0.78% | -41.86% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 2.57% | 2.99% | -15.11% |
| Two or More Races | 3.40% | 1.95% | 54.21% |
| Hispanic | 1.09% | 0.65% | 50.57% |
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 Hammitt was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.
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