Loach
A descriptive surname referring to a person who inhabits or lives near a marshy area.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 343 Americans carry the last name Loach. That puts it at #68,949 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.10 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 999,284 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Loach 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
343
1 in 999,284
Census rank
#68,949
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
285
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 285 bearers of the surname Loach in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.10 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 68949th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Loach, the largest self-reported group is White at 80.3%. The next largest groups are Black (17.5%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Loach
The surname Loach is believed to have originated in England, with roots dating back to the 12th century. It is thought to have derived from the Old English word "lache," meaning a small stream or a ditch filled with water.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Shropshire from 1180, where a person named Robert de la Lache is mentioned. This indicates that the surname was likely formed as a topographic name, referring to someone who lived near a small body of water.
The name Loach has also been linked to various place names in England, such as Lache in Cheshire and Lach Dennis in Shropshire. These place names are believed to have originated from the same Old English word, further solidifying the connection between the surname and its geographical origins.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the surname Loach. One of the earliest recorded examples is Sir John Loach (c. 1350-1420), a prominent English landowner and knight who served under King Henry IV during the Hundred Years' War.
Another prominent figure was William Loach (1528-1594), an English clergyman and scholar who served as the Archdeacon of Winchester during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. He was known for his contributions to theological writings and his role in the governance of the Church of England.
In the literary world, Kenneth Loach (born 1936) is a renowned British filmmaker and social activist, known for his critically acclaimed works such as "Kes" (1969) and "I, Daniel Blake" (2016). He has received numerous accolades, including the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival.
The surname Loach has also been associated with notable figures in the field of science. One such individual was Sir Michael Loach (1907-1995), a British chemist and academic who made significant contributions to the understanding of organic compounds and their reactions.
Another prominent bearer of the name was Beatrice Loach (1891-1977), a British botanist and plant pathologist who specialized in the study of fungal diseases affecting crops. Her research played a crucial role in developing methods to combat plant diseases and improve agricultural yields.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Loach
Among Census respondents with the surname Loach, the largest self-reported group is White at 80.3%. The next largest groups are Black (17.5%).
The bar chart below shows how Loach 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 Loach surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White80.3%
- Black or African American17.5%
- Unknown or suppressed2.1%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Loach 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 | #68,569 | #68,949 | -0.6% |
| Count | 268 | 285 | 6.3% |
| Per 100K | 0.10 | 0.10 | 0.0% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Loach bearers went from 268 to 285 (+6.3% change). The surname moved down 380 positions in the national ranking, going from #68,569 to #68,949.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Loach
FAQ
Loach surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Loach?
The surname Loach holds position #68,949 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 343 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.10 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Loach surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Loach, the largest self-reported group is White at 80.3%. The next largest groups are Black (17.5%). 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.