Jane
An English surname derived from the Norman French 'Jane', which was originally a diminutive nickname for 'John'.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 925 Americans carry the last name Jane. That puts it at #29,473 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.27 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 370,545 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Jane 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
925
1 in 370,545
Census rank
#29,473
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.3
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
801
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 801 bearers of the surname Jane in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.27 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 29473rd position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Jane, the largest self-reported group is White at 59.4%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (17.4%) and Asian/Pacific Islander (10.7%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Jane
The surname "JANE" is of English origin and can be traced back to the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the medieval English given name "Jane," which itself came from the Old French "Jehane" or "Johane," a feminine form of the Hebrew name "Yohanan," meaning "Yahweh is gracious."
One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname "JANE" can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire from the 13th century, where a person named William Jane is mentioned. The name's connection to Yorkshire suggests that it may have initially been more common in the northern regions of England.
In the 14th century, the surname "JANE" appeared in various records and documents across different parts of England. For instance, in the Court Rolls of the Manor of Wakefield from 1348, a person named Robert Jane is listed as a tenant.
The name "JANE" has also been associated with certain place names, such as Janeways in Cornwall, which may have contributed to its use as a surname in that region. Additionally, variations in spelling, like "Jeane" and "Jene," were common in historical records.
Notable individuals with the surname "JANE" include:
1. Sir William Jane (c. 1509-1585), an English politician and Member of Parliament for Southampton.
2. Joseph Jane (1654-1707), an English nonconformist minister and author of theological works.
3. Frederick Thomas Jane (1837-1916), a British naval writer and illustrator known for his works on naval history and architecture.
4. Cecil Jane (1857-1932), an English translator and author who translated several works of Spanish literature, including Don Quixote.
5. Lionel Cecil Jane (1856-1932), a British military historian and author of several books on the history of warfare.
While the surname "JANE" may not be as prominent as some other English surnames, it has a rich history dating back to the medieval period and has been borne by notable individuals across various fields throughout the centuries.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Jane
Among Census respondents with the surname Jane, the largest self-reported group is White at 59.4%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (17.4%) and Asian/Pacific Islander (10.7%).
The bar chart below shows how Jane 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 Jane surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White59.4%
- Hispanic or Latino17.4%
- Asian and Pacific Islander10.7%
- Black or African American10.4%
- Two or more races1.1%
- American Indian and Alaska Native1.0%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Jane 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 | #29,473 | #29,473 | 0.0% |
| Count | 801 | 801 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.27 | 0.27 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Jane bearers went from 801 to 801 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #29,473 to #29,473.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Jane
FAQ
Jane surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Jane?
The surname Jane holds position #29,473 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 925 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.27 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Jane surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Jane, the largest self-reported group is White at 59.4%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (17.4%) and Asian/Pacific Islander (10.7%). 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.