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

Humber, 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 Humber surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Humber in America

Humber is the 25659th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Humber surname appeared 961 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 Humber.

We can also compare 2010 data for Humber 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 Humber

The surname Humber is believed to have originated in England, specifically in the region of Yorkshire. It is derived from the Old English word "humbre," which refers to the River Humber, a major river in that area. The name likely emerged as a locational surname, given to individuals who lived near or were associated with the River Humber.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Humber can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The name appears in various spellings, such as "Humbre" and "Humbr," reflecting the evolution of language and spelling conventions over time.

In the 13th century, a notable individual named William de Humber was recorded as a landowner in the village of Humberton, which is believed to have been named after the River Humber. This indicates that the surname Humber was well-established by that time and linked to specific locations.

During the medieval period, the surname Humber was also associated with place names derived from the river, such as Humberston and Humberton. These place names further solidified the connection between the surname and the geographical region.

One of the earliest known bearers of the surname Humber was John Humber, born around 1380 in Yorkshire. He was a prominent merchant and landowner, leaving a significant legacy in the region.

In the 16th century, a notable figure named Thomas Humber (c. 1525-1588) was a respected scholar and theologian. He served as the Dean of Winchester Cathedral and was known for his contributions to religious teachings and writings.

Another individual of note was Sir George Humber (1629-1692), a British military officer who played a crucial role in the conquest of Jamaica during the Anglo-Spanish War. His bravery and leadership earned him recognition and honors from the Crown.

In the literary world, William Humber (1775-1848) was an English poet and writer. He gained recognition for his poetic works, which often celebrated the beauty of the Yorkshire countryside and the River Humber itself.

The surname Humber has also been associated with notable figures in more recent history, such as Sir John Humber (1842-1916), a prominent British industrialist and politician who served as a Member of Parliament and was knighted for his contributions to industry and public service.

While the surname Humber is not among the most common in England, it has a rich history and strong ties to the region of Yorkshire and the iconic River Humber. The name has been carried by individuals from diverse backgrounds, including merchants, scholars, military leaders, writers, and industrialists, leaving a lasting impact on the cultural and historical fabric of England.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Humber

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

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

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

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