Kearsley
A locational surname derived from Kearsley, a place in Lancashire, England.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 548 Americans carry the last name Kearsley. That puts it at #45,653 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.16 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 625,464 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Kearsley 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
548
1 in 625,464
Census rank
#45,653
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.2
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
468
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 468 bearers of the surname Kearsley in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.16 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 45653rd position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Kearsley, the largest self-reported group is White at 85.7%. The next largest groups are Two or More Races (6.4%) and Black (4.7%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Kearsley
The surname KEARSLEY is of English origin, with its roots traced back to the Middle Ages in the northwestern region of England. The name is believed to have derived from the place name "Keardsley" or "Kearsley," which was a township in Lancashire. This place name is thought to have originated from the Old English words "cærf" or "cærr," meaning "rock," and "leah," meaning "woodland clearing."
The earliest known record of the surname KEARSLEY can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Lancashire from the late 12th century, where it was spelled "Kerdislegh." This spelling variation highlights the evolution of the name over time. In the 13th century, the name appeared in the Assize Rolls of Lancashire as "Kerdesleye" and "Keresleye."
One notable early bearer of the KEARSLEY surname was John de Kearsley, who was mentioned in the Placita de Quo Warranto records of 1292-1293. These records were inquiries into the legal rights and privileges claimed by individuals and institutions during the reign of King Edward I.
In the 16th century, the KEARSLEY surname was associated with the Kearsley family, who resided in the township of the same name in Lancashire. This family held significant influence and landholdings in the area. One prominent member was Thomas Kearsley, born in 1558, who served as a magistrate and Deputy Lieutenant of Lancashire.
During the English Civil War in the 17th century, a notable figure bearing the KEARSLEY surname was Lieutenant-Colonel John Kearsley. He fought for the Parliamentarian forces and was killed in action at the Battle of Wigan Lane in 1651.
Another notable bearer of the KEARSLEY name was Jonathan Kearsley, born in 1699 in Lancashire. He was a merchant and colonial agent who emigrated to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the early 18th century. Kearsley became a prominent figure in the colonial society and served as a member of the Provincial Council of Pennsylvania.
In the 19th century, the KEARSLEY surname was associated with several notable individuals, including George Kearsley, born in 1800 in Lancashire. He was a respected engineer and played a significant role in the development of early railways in Britain.
Throughout its history, the KEARSLEY surname has maintained a strong connection to its origins in Lancashire, England. While the name has been carried by individuals across various professions and locations, its roots can be traced back to the medieval period and the township that likely inspired its creation.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Kearsley
Among Census respondents with the surname Kearsley, the largest self-reported group is White at 85.7%. The next largest groups are Two or More Races (6.4%) and Black (4.7%).
The bar chart below shows how Kearsley 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 Kearsley surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White85.7%
- Two or more races6.4%
- Black or African American4.7%
- Hispanic or Latino2.8%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Kearsley 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 | #45,653 | #45,653 | 0.0% |
| Count | 468 | 468 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.16 | 0.16 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Kearsley bearers went from 468 to 468 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #45,653 to #45,653.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Kearsley
FAQ
Kearsley surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Kearsley?
The surname Kearsley holds position #45,653 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 548 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.16 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Kearsley surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Kearsley, the largest self-reported group is White at 85.7%. The next largest groups are Two or More Races (6.4%) and Black (4.7%). 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.