Find out how popular the last name Judith is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Judith.
A surname derived from the Hebrew feminine name, meaning "praised" or "from Judea".
Judith, 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 Judith surname is from the 2000 census data.
Judith is the 142819th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.
The Judith surname appeared 107 times in the 2000 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Judith.
The surname Judith traces its origin to the medieval period, specifically arising in France and England. It is derived from the given name Judith, which has Hebrew origins, where it signifies "woman of Judea" or "Jewish woman." The name was popularized in Western Europe during the Middle Ages in part due to the biblical figure Judith, a courageous and wise heroine in the Old Testament.
In England, the surname Judith appeared in various records and manuscripts beginning in the 12th and 13th centuries. One of the earliest examples of the surname appears in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire, dating to 1219, where a certain Walter Judith is mentioned. This earlier spelling aligns with the Norman influence on the language following the Conquest of 1066, where many Hebrew and biblical names found their way into England through the Normans.
The surname Judith enjoys a historical reference in the Domesday Book, though indirectly. While the Domesday Book, completed in 1086, does not list the surname Judith explicitly, it contains the landholdings of Judith of Lens, niece of William the Conqueror. Although she was known more for her notoriety and status, the use of the name Judith in royal and noble circles likely contributed to its adoption as a surname in subsequent generations.
A significant historical figure with this surname is Robert Judith, born in 1450 in Norfolk, England. As a prominent landowner and local magistrate, his contributions to the local governance and social structure in the late 15th century were well-documented, giving a notable reference to the surname. In the parish records of St. Nicholas, Ipswich, in 1542, the family of John Judith, a merchant and civic leader, further solidified the name's prominence in Eastern England.
In France, Jeanne Judith, born in 1592, gained renown for her work as a midwife in Paris. Her detailed accounts and journals remain a critical source of information on midwifery practices in the early 17th century. Her works were studied extensively and cited in medical history references, illustrating the enduring presence of the Judith surname in French medical literature.
In the mid-17th century, the Judith surname appeared in the Netherlands with Thomas Judith, a successful trader documented in Amsterdam municipal records from 1654. His thriving business dealings and trade routes between the Dutch East Indies and Europe made significant economic impacts during the Dutch Golden Age.
Another notable figure is Sarah Judith, born in 1753 in Sussex, England. She is remembered for her philanthropy and contributions to women's education. Her efforts in founding one of the early girls' schools in her region earned her lasting recognition and marked an important social development of the time.
Through these historical references and notable individuals, the surname Judith illustrates a lineage that is steeped in rich biblical tradition, medieval records, and significant contributions to societal advancements across various European regions.
We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Judith.
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:
For the most recent 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Judith was:
| Race/Ethnicity | Percentage | Total Occurrences |
|---|---|---|
| Non-Hispanic White Only | 77.57% | 83 |
| Non-Hispanic Black Only | 5.61% | 6 |
| Non-Hispanic Asian and Pacific Islander Only | (S)% | (S) |
| Non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaskan Native | (S)% | (S) |
| Non-Hispanic of Two or More Races | (S)% | (S) |
| Hispanic Origin | 10.28% | 11 |
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.
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 Judith was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.
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