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

Headspeth, 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 Headspeth surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Headspeth in America

Headspeth is the 68770th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Headspeth surname appeared 286 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Headspeth.

We can also compare 2010 data for Headspeth 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 Headspeth

The surname HEADSPETH has its origins in Scotland, tracing back to the 16th century. It is believed to be derived from the Old English words "head" and "speth," which together mean "headsman" or "executioner." This etymology suggests that the name may have been given to someone who held the occupation of an executioner or a person responsible for carrying out executions.

In the early records, the name appears with various spellings, such as Headspeth, Heidspeth, and Heidspaith. One of the earliest documented mentions of the name can be found in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, which recorded the names of Scottish nobles who swore allegiance to King Edward I of England. The name Headspeth appears in this document, indicating its presence in Scotland during that time period.

The HEADSPETH name has been associated with several notable individuals throughout history. One such person was Sir John Headspeth (1542-1612), a Scottish soldier and diplomat who served under King James VI of Scotland. He played a crucial role in negotiating the Union of the Crowns in 1603, which united the kingdoms of Scotland and England under one monarch.

Another prominent figure bearing the HEADSPETH surname was Margaret Headspeth (1675-1745), a Scottish writer and poet renowned for her works that explored themes of Scottish history and culture. Her collection of poems, "The Thistle and the Rose," published in 1720, gained widespread acclaim and contributed to the preservation of Scottish literary traditions.

In the 18th century, the name HEADSPETH was also associated with a notable family from the Scottish Lowlands. Robert Headspeth (1718-1792) was a wealthy landowner and philanthropist who established several charitable foundations to support education and healthcare in his region. His son, William Headspeth (1752-1825), followed in his footsteps and became a prominent figure in local politics, serving as a member of the Scottish Parliament.

Another notable bearer of the HEADSPETH name was Elizabeth Headspeth (1810-1887), a Scottish educator and advocate for women's rights. She founded one of the first schools in Scotland dedicated to providing quality education for girls, and her efforts paved the way for greater educational opportunities for women in the country.

While the HEADSPETH surname may not be as common today, its historical significance and connection to Scotland's past cannot be denied. The name's association with various professions, from executioners to soldiers, writers, and philanthropists, reflects the rich tapestry of Scotland's cultural heritage and the diverse roles played by those who bore this distinctive surname.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Headspeth

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

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

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

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