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

January, 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 January surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of January in America

January is the 12255th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The January surname appeared 2,538 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname January.

We can also compare 2010 data for January 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 January

The surname "January" is believed to have originated in England during the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Latin word "Januarius," which refers to the month of January and was likely used as a descriptive name or nickname for someone born or associated with that particular month.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname "January" can be traced back to the 13th century in the county of Hertfordshire, England. During this time, surnames were becoming more common, and many were derived from occupations, physical characteristics, or other descriptive elements.

In the 14th century, there are records of individuals with the surname "January" living in various parts of England, including Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. These early references suggest that the name may have originated in different regions and then spread across the country.

The Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of land and landowners commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086, does not contain any direct mentions of the surname "January." However, it does record place names and titles that may have influenced the development of the surname over time.

One notable individual with the surname "January" was Sir William January, born in the late 15th century, who served as a member of the English Parliament representing the county of Wiltshire. Another figure of historical significance was John January, a merchant and alderman in the city of London during the 16th century.

In the 17th century, records show the presence of the "January" surname in various parts of England, including London and the counties of Somerset, Gloucestershire, and Oxfordshire. During this period, the name also appeared in parish records and legal documents, indicating its continued use and recognition.

Other notable individuals with the surname "January" include:

1. Thomas January (1612-1681), an English clergyman and author known for his writings on theology and philosophy.
2. Mary January (1685-1758), a philanthropist and benefactor who funded the construction of several schools and churches in her hometown of Bristol, England.
3. Edward January (1734-1813), a British naval officer who served during the American Revolutionary War and was later appointed as the Governor of the Bahamas.
4. Elizabeth January (1768-1856), a prominent author and poet in the early 19th century, known for her works on social issues and women's rights.
5. George January (1822-1892), a renowned architect and surveyor who designed several notable buildings in London, including the Royal Albert Hall.

While the surname "January" has its origins in England, it has since spread to other parts of the world through migration and immigration. However, its roots can be traced back to the medieval period, reflecting the rich history and evolution of surnames in English society.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name January

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

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

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

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