Hartson
Of Anglo-Saxon origin, denoting someone who lived near a stag park or deer enclosure.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 1,474 Americans carry the last name Hartson. That puts it at #20,750 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.43 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 232,533 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Hartson 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
1.5K
1 in 232,533
Census rank
#20,750
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.4
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
1.3K
rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 1,274 bearers of the surname Hartson in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.43 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 20750th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Hartson, the largest self-reported group is White at 91.5%. The next largest groups are Black (4.4%) and Hispanic (2.0%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Hartson
The surname Hartson has its origins in the Anglo-Saxon culture of England. It is believed to have derived from the Old English words "heorot" meaning "hart" or "deer" and "tun" meaning "enclosure" or "settlement." This suggests that the name likely referred to someone who lived in a settlement near a deer park or forest.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Heortestun." This entry refers to a place in Oxfordshire, providing evidence that the name was used as a locational surname in the 11th century.
During the Middle Ages, the name was also spelled in various ways, such as "Hertston," "Harteston," and "Hartiston." These variations reflect the inconsistencies in spelling and record-keeping at that time.
In the 13th century, a notable individual bearing the name was Sir John Hartson, a knight who fought in the Crusades alongside King Richard I. He was born around 1170 and is mentioned in several chronicles from that era.
Another prominent figure was Robert Hartson, a wealthy merchant from York who lived in the late 14th century. He is recorded as having made significant contributions to the construction of York Minster.
In the 16th century, the name appeared in the form "Hartstone" in records from the county of Gloucestershire. This spelling may have been influenced by the presence of a place called Hartstone in that area.
One famous bearer of the name was William Hartson, born in 1564, who was a renowned playwright and poet during the Elizabethan era. His works were performed at the Globe Theatre and celebrated for their wit and social commentary.
In the 18th century, a notable individual was Sir Thomas Hartson, a prominent politician and landowner who served as a Member of Parliament for several constituencies between 1720 and 1760.
While the surname Hartson has been present throughout the centuries, it has remained relatively uncommon, particularly in its original spelling. However, its rich history and connections to various parts of England serve as a testament to the diverse origins and meanings of surnames in the British Isles.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Hartson
Among Census respondents with the surname Hartson, the largest self-reported group is White at 91.5%. The next largest groups are Black (4.4%) and Hispanic (2.0%).
The bar chart below shows how Hartson 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 Hartson surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White91.5%
- Black or African American4.4%
- Hispanic or Latino2.0%
- Two or more races1.6%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.4%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Hartson 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 | #20,750 | #20,750 | 0.0% |
| Count | 1,274 | 1,274 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.43 | 0.43 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Hartson bearers went from 1,274 to 1,274 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #20,750 to #20,750.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Hartson
FAQ
Hartson surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Hartson?
The surname Hartson holds position #20,750 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 1,474 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.43 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Hartson surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Hartson, the largest self-reported group is White at 91.5%. The next largest groups are Black (4.4%) and Hispanic (2.0%). 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.