Launder
A surname of Norman origin referring to someone who laundered or washed clothes professionally.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 411 Americans carry the last name Launder. That puts it at #59,470 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.12 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 833,952 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Launder 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
411
1 in 833,952
Census rank
#59,470
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
340
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 340 bearers of the surname Launder in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.12 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 59470th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Launder, the largest self-reported group is White at 91.5%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (4.1%) and Black (1.8%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Launder
The surname Launder is of English origin, deriving from the Old French word 'lavandier,' which means 'washer' or 'launderer.' It emerged in the Middle Ages as an occupational surname, referring to individuals who worked as launderers or washers of clothes and linens.
The earliest recorded instances of the surname Launder can be traced back to the 13th century in various regions of England. One notable early reference is found in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire from 1273, where the name appears as 'Lavendur.'
In the 14th century, the surname was sometimes spelled 'Lavender' or 'Lavendar,' reflecting the Old French origin. This variant spelling can be seen in records such as the Yorkshire Poll Tax Returns of 1379, where a 'Johannes Lavendar' is listed.
The Launder surname is also linked to certain place names in England, such as Launder Abbey in Buckinghamshire, which was founded in the 12th century. It is possible that some individuals adopted the surname based on their association with this location or similar places.
One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname Launder was John Launder, who was born in Gloucestershire, England, around 1490. He was a prominent merchant and landowner in the region.
Another notable bearer of the Launder surname was Sir Thomas Launder (1535-1614), an English politician and member of Parliament during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.
In the 17th century, the name appeared in various parish records across England, such as the baptism of Elizabeth Launder in St. Dunstan's, Stepney, London, in 1635.
William Launder (1640-1705) was a respected English clergyman and author who served as the Rector of Wotton-under-Edge in Gloucestershire.
Mary Launder (1710-1792) was a renowned English poet and writer from Bath, whose works were widely published and acclaimed in her lifetime.
As the centuries progressed, the Launder surname continued to be found in various parts of England, with some bearers achieving notable positions in society, such as Richard Launder (1820-1898), a successful businessman and philanthropist from Oxfordshire.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Launder
Among Census respondents with the surname Launder, the largest self-reported group is White at 91.5%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (4.1%) and Black (1.8%).
The bar chart below shows how Launder 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 Launder surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White91.5%
- Hispanic or Latino4.1%
- Black or African American1.8%
- Asian and Pacific Islander1.5%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Launder 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 | #59,470 | #59,470 | 0.0% |
| Count | 340 | 340 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.12 | 0.12 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Launder bearers went from 340 to 340 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #59,470 to #59,470.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Launder
FAQ
Launder surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Launder?
The surname Launder holds position #59,470 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 411 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.12 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Launder surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Launder, the largest self-reported group is White at 91.5%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (4.1%) and Black (1.8%). 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.