Horse
An English surname derived from the Old English word "hors," referring to someone who worked with or kept horses.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 343 Americans carry the last name Horse. That puts it at #68,547 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.10 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 999,284 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Horse 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
343
1 in 999,284
Census rank
#68,547
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
287
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 287 bearers of the surname Horse in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.10 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 68547th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Horse, the largest self-reported group is American Indian/Alaska Native at 67.6%. The next largest groups are White (16.4%) and Black (8.7%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Horse
The surname "HORSE" is believed to have originated in England during the Middle Ages, deriving from the Old English word "hors," which means precisely what it sounds like - a horse. This surname was likely initially given as a descriptive nickname to individuals who worked with horses or had a distinct physical resemblance to the animal.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname "HORSE" can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of land ownership and taxation in England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The entry mentions a landholder named Radulfus Horse in the county of Warwickshire.
During the medieval period, the name "HORSE" was predominantly concentrated in the southern and central regions of England, particularly in counties such as Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, and Wiltshire. Variations in spelling were common, with the name appearing as "Hors," "Horshe," and "Horsse" in various historical records.
In the 14th century, a prominent individual bearing the surname "HORSE" was Sir John Horse, a knight who served under King Edward III during the Hundred Years' War against France. He fought in several notable battles, including the Battle of Crécy in 1346.
Another notable figure was William Horse, a merchant and alderman in the city of London during the 15th century. He was a prominent member of the Worshipful Company of Mercers and served as the Lord Mayor of London in 1471.
During the Tudor period, the name "HORSE" gained further recognition with the exploits of Sir Richard Horse, a military commander who served under King Henry VIII. He played a crucial role in the English victory at the Battle of Flodden in 1513, where he led a contingent of archers against the Scottish forces.
In the 17th century, the name "HORSE" was also associated with the village of Horsham in West Sussex, which may have derived its name from the Old English words "hors" and "ham," meaning a horse enclosure or meadow.
Other notable individuals with the surname "HORSE" include Robert Horse (1588-1661), an English clergyman and author who wrote several religious works, and Thomas Horse (1733-1804), a British politician who served as a Member of Parliament for the constituency of Southwark.
While the surname "HORSE" has its roots in England, it has since spread to other parts of the world through migration and diaspora. However, it remains a relatively uncommon surname, particularly in its original spelling.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Horse
Among Census respondents with the surname Horse, the largest self-reported group is American Indian/Alaska Native at 67.6%. The next largest groups are White (16.4%) and Black (8.7%).
The bar chart below shows how Horse 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 Horse surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- American Indian and Alaska Native67.6%
- White16.4%
- Black or African American8.7%
- Two or more races4.5%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Horse 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 | #68,547 | #68,547 | 0.0% |
| Count | 287 | 287 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.10 | 0.10 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Horse bearers went from 287 to 287 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #68,547 to #68,547.
FAQ
Horse surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Horse?
The surname Horse holds position #68,547 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 343 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.10 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Horse surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Horse, the largest self-reported group is American Indian/Alaska Native at 67.6%. The next largest groups are White (16.4%) and Black (8.7%). 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.