Joiner
An occupational surname referring to a carpenter or woodworker who specializes in constructing furniture or wooden fittings.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 18,989 Americans carry the last name Joiner. That puts it at #2,228 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 5.54 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 18,050 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Joiner 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
19K
1 in 18,050
Census rank
#2,228
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
5.5
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
16K
uncommon in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 16,349 bearers of the surname Joiner in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 5.54 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 2228th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Joiner, the largest self-reported group is White at 64.0%. The next largest groups are Black (31.1%) and Hispanic (2.3%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Joiner
The surname JOINER is an English occupational surname that originated in the Middle Ages. It was derived from the Old French word 'joigneor', meaning a skilled woodworker who assembled and joined various components to construct items such as furniture, doors, and window frames.
The earliest recorded examples of the JOINER surname can be traced back to the 13th century in English parish records and tax rolls. One notable early bearer of the name was William le Joynour, who was mentioned in the Court Rolls of the Manor of Wakefield in Yorkshire, England, in 1275.
During the medieval period, joiners were highly skilled craftsmen who played a crucial role in the construction of buildings, ships, and various wooden structures. Their work was essential in the development of towns and cities, and they were often members of respected guilds or trade organizations.
In the 16th century, the JOINER surname appeared in historical records such as the Lay Subsidy Rolls of 1524, which listed Thomas Joyner from Worcestershire, England. The variant spelling 'Joyner' was also common during this time, reflecting the evolution of the English language.
One prominent figure with the JOINER surname was Robert Joiner (1586-1639), an English politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Heytesbury, Wiltshire, in the early 17th century. Another notable bearer was William Joiner (1675-1753), an English clockmaker and watchmaker from London who was renowned for his exceptional craftsmanship.
In the 18th century, the JOINER surname gained recognition through individuals like Samuel Joiner (1709-1785), an English Baptist minister and theologian, and John Joiner (1753-1824), an English architect and surveyor who designed several notable buildings in London.
As the industrial revolution took hold in the 19th century, the role of joiners evolved, and many transitioned into working in factories or specializing in specific areas of woodworking, such as cabinet making or furniture production. Nonetheless, the JOINER surname remained a testament to the rich history and significance of this skilled trade.
Throughout history, the JOINER surname has been carried by numerous individuals, reflecting its widespread presence across various regions of England and its enduring connection to the craft of woodworking and construction.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Joiner
Among Census respondents with the surname Joiner, the largest self-reported group is White at 64.0%. The next largest groups are Black (31.1%) and Hispanic (2.3%).
The bar chart below shows how Joiner 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 Joiner surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White64.0%
- Black or African American31.1%
- Hispanic or Latino2.3%
- Two or more races1.8%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.4%
- American Indian and Alaska Native0.4%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Joiner 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 | #2,228 | #2,228 | 0.0% |
| Count | 16,349 | 16,349 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 5.54 | 5.54 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Joiner bearers went from 16,349 to 16,349 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #2,228 to #2,228.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Joiner
FAQ
Joiner surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Joiner?
The surname Joiner holds position #2,228 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 18,989 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 5.54 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Joiner surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Joiner, the largest self-reported group is White at 64.0%. The next largest groups are Black (31.1%) and Hispanic (2.3%). 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.