Latney
An English surname derived from an Old French location near Normandy.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 446 Americans carry the last name Latney. That puts it at #52,169 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.13 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 768,507 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Latney 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
446
1 in 768,507
Census rank
#52,169
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
398
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 398 bearers of the surname Latney in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.13 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 52169th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Latney, the largest self-reported group is Black at 87.7%. The next largest groups are Two or More Races (5.0%) and White (4.8%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Latney
The surname Latney has its origins in England, with roots that can be traced back to the 13th century. It is believed to have derived from a location name, likely a small village or hamlet that no longer exists or has undergone significant changes in spelling over time.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, a census-like document that recorded landholders and their properties in various English counties. Here, the name is spelled as "Latnay", suggesting its evolution from an older place name.
During the 14th century, the Latney surname appears to have been concentrated in the counties of Gloucestershire and Somerset, with several references to individuals bearing this name in various parish records and legal documents of the time.
One notable mention is that of John Latney, a wealthy landowner from the village of Nettleton in Wiltshire, who was recorded in the Lay Subsidy Rolls of 1332. His descendants continued to hold land in the area for several generations, further establishing the Latney name in the region.
In the 16th century, the Latney family seems to have expanded their presence to other parts of England, with records showing individuals with this surname residing in counties such as Oxfordshire and Warwickshire.
One of the most prominent figures bearing the Latney name was Sir Thomas Latney, a successful merchant and landowner who lived from 1530 to 1591. He was a member of the Worshipful Company of Mercers and served as an alderman in the City of London.
Another notable Latney was Robert Latney, born in 1642 in Gloucestershire. He was a renowned scholar and theologian who authored several works on religious philosophy and served as a chaplain to King Charles II.
In the 18th century, the Latney family continued to maintain a presence in various parts of England, with several individuals achieving recognition in fields such as law, academia, and the military.
One such figure was Captain William Latney, who served in the British Army during the American Revolutionary War and was commended for his bravery in the Battle of Bunker Hill in 1775.
By the 19th century, the Latney surname had spread across the British Isles, with individuals bearing this name found in Scotland, Ireland, and Wales, as well as continuing their presence in various regions of England.
Mary Latney, born in 1801 in County Cork, Ireland, was a renowned poet and author whose works explored themes of nature, love, and Irish culture. Her collection of poems, "Songs of the Emerald Isle", published in 1845, was widely acclaimed and brought her recognition both in Ireland and abroad.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Latney
Among Census respondents with the surname Latney, the largest self-reported group is Black at 87.7%. The next largest groups are Two or More Races (5.0%) and White (4.8%).
The bar chart below shows how Latney 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 Latney surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- Black or African American87.7%
- Two or more races5.0%
- White4.8%
- Hispanic or Latino1.3%
- Unknown or suppressed1.3%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Latney 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 | 2000 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #50,801 | #52,169 | -2.7% |
| Count | 386 | 398 | 3.1% |
| Per 100K | 0.14 | 0.13 | -7.1% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Latney bearers went from 386 to 398 (+3.1% change). The surname moved down 1,368 positions in the national ranking, going from #50,801 to #52,169.
FAQ
Latney surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Latney?
The surname Latney holds position #52,169 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 446 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.13 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Latney surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Latney, the largest self-reported group is Black at 87.7%. The next largest groups are Two or More Races (5.0%) and White (4.8%). 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.