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

Hanshaw, 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 Hanshaw surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Hanshaw in America

Hanshaw is the 10582nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Hanshaw surname appeared 3,030 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 Hanshaw.

We can also compare 2010 data for Hanshaw 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 Hanshaw

The surname Hanshaw has its origins in England, tracing back to the medieval period. It is believed to have originated as a locational name, derived from a place name that combined the Old English elements "hana" meaning "rock" or "stone" and "sceaga" meaning "small wood" or "thicket." This suggests that the name may have referred to a rocky wooded area or a settlement near such a location.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire from 1166, where it appears as "Hansaghe." This early spelling variation highlights the evolution of the name over time. Other historical documents, such as the Hundred Rolls of 1273, mention individuals with the surname Hanshaw or its variants, indicating its presence in various regions of England.

In the 13th century, a Walter de Hanshawe was recorded in the Assize Rolls of Staffordshire, providing evidence of the name's use during that period. Additionally, the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex from 1327 include a reference to a John Hanshaw, further solidifying the name's presence in different parts of the country.

Notably, the Hanshaw surname has been connected to several notable figures throughout history. One such individual was John Hanshaw (1753-1809), an American lawyer and politician from Virginia who served as a delegate to the Continental Congress and later as a member of the Virginia House of Delegates.

Another prominent bearer of the name was Joseph Hanshaw (1766-1836), an American farmer and Revolutionary War soldier from Pennsylvania. He fought in several battles during the war and later settled in Ohio, where he became a prominent figure in the local community.

In the literary realm, Thomas Hanshaw (1812-1885) was an English poet and author known for his works on rural life and nature. His collection of poems, "The Lays of a Lancashire Peasant," published in 1860, received critical acclaim and captured the essence of the countryside.

Moving forward in time, Elizabeth Hanshaw (1879-1951) was an American operatic soprano who performed with the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. She was renowned for her interpretations of various roles and made significant contributions to the opera world in the early 20th century.

Another notable figure was Robert Hanshaw (1920-2002), an American businessman and philanthropist. He co-founded the Hanshaw Exploration Company, a successful oil and gas exploration firm, and later established the Hanshaw Foundation to support educational and charitable causes.

These examples illustrate the diverse backgrounds and accomplishments of individuals bearing the Hanshaw surname throughout history, reflecting the name's enduring presence across various fields and regions.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Hanshaw

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

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

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

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