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

Look, 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 Look surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Look in America

Look is the 7843rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Look surname appeared 4,222 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 Look.

We can also compare 2010 data for Look 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 Look

The surname LOOK is believed to have originated in England, with records dating back to the 13th century. It is thought to be derived from the Old English word "lōc," which meant "enclosure" or "meadow." This suggests that the name may have been used to identify someone who lived near a meadow or enclosed area.

The earliest known record of the LOOK surname appears in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire in 1273, where it is spelled "Lok." This document lists landowners and tenants in the area, indicating that the name was associated with landed gentry or freeholders at the time.

In the 14th century, the LOOK surname can be found in various court records and legal documents, such as the Court Rolls of the Manor of Wakefield in Yorkshire, where it is spelled "Loke." These records provide insights into the lives and activities of individuals bearing the name during this period.

One notable bearer of the LOOK surname was John Loke, a wealthy merchant and landowner who lived in Norfolk in the late 15th century. Records indicate that he owned substantial properties and was involved in trade and commerce.

Another prominent figure was Sir Thomas Lok (1515-1597), an English merchant and explorer who played a significant role in the early English voyages to the Americas. He financed several expeditions and wrote accounts of his travels, which provide valuable insights into the time period.

In the 17th century, the LOOK surname appears in parish records and other historical documents across various regions of England, indicating its widespread distribution. One example is William Looke (1620-1672), a clergyman and author who wrote several religious works.

The LOOK surname also has variations in spelling, such as Looke, Lok, Loke, and Locke. These variations likely arose due to regional differences in pronunciation and spelling conventions of the time.

Throughout history, the LOOK surname has been associated with individuals from diverse backgrounds, including merchants, landowners, clergymen, and explorers. While the name may have initially been associated with geographical features or occupations, it has since become a widespread surname with a rich history in England and beyond.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Look

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

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

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

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