Find out how popular the last name Littles is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Littles.

Littles, 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 Littles surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Littles in America

Littles is the 9998th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Littles surname appeared 3,224 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Littles.

We can also compare 2010 data for Littles to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Littles

The surname Littles is believed to have originated in England, dating back to the 12th century. It is derived from the Old English word "lytel," meaning small or little. This name was likely given as a descriptive nickname to someone of small stature or a younger sibling to distinguish them from others.

The earliest recorded instance of the Littles surname can be traced back to the Domesday Book of 1086, where it was spelled as "Littel." This comprehensive survey, commissioned by William the Conqueror, documented landholders and their properties across England.

During the Middle Ages, the Littles surname was prevalent in various regions of England, particularly in counties such as Norfolk, Suffolk, and Essex. It is believed that the name may have originated from place names like Little Hampton or Little Tey, where families bearing the surname resided.

One notable figure from history with the Littles surname was William Littles, a merchant and alderman who lived in London during the 15th century (c. 1420-1489). He was a prominent figure in the city's trade and political circles.

Another significant individual was Sir John Littles, a military commander who served under King Edward III during the Hundred Years' War (c. 1310-1375). He was knighted for his bravery and distinguished service on the battlefield.

In the 16th century, the Littles surname gained further recognition with the birth of Richard Littles (c. 1530-1604), a renowned English playwright and poet. His works, which included plays and sonnets, contributed to the literary landscape of the Elizabethan era.

During the 17th century, the Littles surname was associated with the colonization of North America. One notable figure was Robert Littles (c. 1620-1690), a Puritan settler who arrived in the Massachusetts Bay Colony and became a prominent landowner and community leader.

Another significant individual from this period was Mary Littles (c. 1635-1707), an influential Quaker minister and writer. She traveled extensively, preaching and advocating for religious tolerance and social reforms.

As the centuries passed, the Littles surname continued to be represented in various fields, including academia, politics, and the arts. The name's rich history and diverse origins have contributed to its enduring presence across generations and geographical boundaries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Littles

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Littles.

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:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Littles was:

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.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Littles has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

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 Littles was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Littles, please contact us.

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