Hutchison
A patronymic surname derived from the given name Hugh, meaning "son of Hugh."
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 28,826 Americans carry the last name Hutchison. That puts it at #1,436 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 8.41 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 11,890 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Hutchison 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
29K
1 in 11,890
Census rank
#1,436
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
8.4
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
25K
uncommon in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 24,820 bearers of the surname Hutchison in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 8.41 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 1436th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Hutchison, the largest self-reported group is White at 90.5%. The next largest groups are Black (4.5%) and Hispanic (2.0%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Hutchison
The surname Hutchison is of Scottish origin and can be traced back to the 12th century. It is derived from the Old English word "hog" or "hoge," which means a hill or small elevation, and the suffix "ton," meaning a farmstead or settlement. Therefore, Hutchison likely referred to someone who resided near a small hill or mound.
The name was first recorded in the ancient Scottish counties of Ayrshire and Renfrewshire, where the earliest known bearers of the name lived. In the 13th century, a charter from Paisley Abbey mentions a "William de Hogiston," which is believed to be one of the earliest recorded instances of the name.
The Hutchison surname can be found in various historical records, including the Ragman Rolls of 1296, which documented the Scottish nobles who swore allegiance to King Edward I of England. One notable entry is that of "Robertus de Hogeston," a landholder from Renfrewshire.
In the 16th century, the name appeared in the Exchequer Rolls of Scotland, which recorded tax records and land transactions. One such entry from 1528 mentions a "John Hutchison" from Ayrshire.
Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals with the surname Hutchison. One of the earliest was Sir Thomas Hutchison (1589-1642), a Scottish landowner and member of the Scottish Parliament. Another was George Hutchison (1678-1737), a Scottish mathematician and astronomer who made significant contributions to the study of eclipses.
In the 19th century, Robert Hutchison (1782-1858) was a Scottish businessman and philanthropist who founded the Hutchison's Hospital in Paisley. Graham Hutchison (1835-1913) was a Scottish politician and writer who served as a Member of Parliament for Glasgow.
More recently, Sir Harry Hutchison (1915-2005) was a renowned Scottish surgeon and medical researcher, known for his contributions to the field of plastic surgery.
While the surname Hutchison has evolved over time, with various spellings such as Hutcheson, Hutchinson, and Huchison, it has maintained its Scottish roots and historical significance.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Hutchison
Among Census respondents with the surname Hutchison, the largest self-reported group is White at 90.5%. The next largest groups are Black (4.5%) and Hispanic (2.0%).
The bar chart below shows how Hutchison 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 Hutchison surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White90.5%
- Black or African American4.5%
- Hispanic or Latino2.0%
- Two or more races1.8%
- American Indian and Alaska Native0.7%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.5%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Hutchison 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 | #1,436 | #1,436 | 0.0% |
| Count | 24,820 | 24,820 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 8.41 | 8.41 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Hutchison bearers went from 24,820 to 24,820 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #1,436 to #1,436.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Hutchison
FAQ
Hutchison surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Hutchison?
The surname Hutchison holds position #1,436 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 28,826 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 8.41 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Hutchison surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Hutchison, the largest self-reported group is White at 90.5%. The next largest groups are Black (4.5%) 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.