Judd
A surname of English origin, derived from the personal name Jordan or Judah, or referring to someone from Jude.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 21,045 Americans carry the last name Judd. That puts it at #1,991 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 6.14 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 16,287 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Judd 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
21K
1 in 16,287
Census rank
#1,991
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
6.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
18K
uncommon in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 18,110 bearers of the surname Judd in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 6.14 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 1991st position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Judd, the largest self-reported group is White at 88.6%. The next largest groups are Black (5.5%) and Hispanic (2.4%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Judd
The surname Judd is of Old English origin, derived from the personal name Judd, a diminutive form of the name Jordan. It is believed to have originated in the areas of Devon and Cornwall in South West England during the early medieval period.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Judd can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which mentions a landowner named Judd in the county of Devon. This suggests that the name was already established in that region by the late 11th century.
The name Judd is also closely associated with the town of Juddridge, located in the county of Dorset. This place name is derived from the Old English words "Juddes" and "hrycg," meaning "Judd's ridge," indicating that the surname may have been connected to this particular location.
In the 13th century, a notable figure bearing the name Judd was Sir John Judd, a prominent landowner and knight who lived in the county of Somerset. He is mentioned in several historical records from that period.
During the 16th century, the name Judd gained further recognition with the birth of Sir Andrew Judd (1492-1558), a prominent English merchant and benefactor who founded the Tonbridge School in Kent. He is considered one of the most influential figures with this surname.
Another notable individual was Thomas Judd (1516-1590), an English Protestant clergyman and writer who authored several religious works during the Reformation period.
In the 17th century, Samuel Judd (1622-1694) was a renowned English nonconformist minister and author who played a significant role in the Puritan movement.
The 18th century saw the prominence of Sylvanus Judd (1789-1860), an American author and educator who published several popular works on grammar and rhetoric.
Throughout history, the surname Judd has been associated with various notable individuals across different fields, including politics, literature, and education, reflecting its long-standing presence and significance within English-speaking communities.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Judd
Among Census respondents with the surname Judd, the largest self-reported group is White at 88.6%. The next largest groups are Black (5.5%) and Hispanic (2.4%).
The bar chart below shows how Judd 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 Judd surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White88.6%
- Black or African American5.5%
- Hispanic or Latino2.4%
- Two or more races1.9%
- Asian and Pacific Islander1.0%
- American Indian and Alaska Native0.6%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Judd 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 | #1,991 | #1,991 | 0.0% |
| Count | 18,110 | 18,110 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 6.14 | 6.14 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Judd bearers went from 18,110 to 18,110 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #1,991 to #1,991.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Judd
FAQ
Judd surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Judd?
The surname Judd holds position #1,991 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 21,045 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 6.14 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Judd surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Judd, the largest self-reported group is White at 88.6%. The next largest groups are Black (5.5%) and Hispanic (2.4%). 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.