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

Lord, 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 Lord surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Lord in America

Lord is the 1535th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Lord surname appeared 23,405 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 8 people would have the surname Lord.

We can also compare 2010 data for Lord 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 Lord

The surname Lord originated in England during the medieval period, deriving from the Old English word "hlaford," which meant "master" or "ruler." This term was used to refer to those in positions of authority, such as feudal lords or landowners.

In the early days of surname adoption, Lord was often used as a descriptive name for individuals who held a position of power or owned significant property. It was not necessarily a hereditary title but rather a reflection of the person's status or occupation.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Lord can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of landowners and estates commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. Several individuals with the surname Lord are mentioned in this historical document, indicating the name's presence in various parts of England.

During the medieval period, the spelling of the name varied, with variations such as Lorde, Loord, and Lourde being common. These variations were likely influenced by local dialects and the inconsistent spelling practices of the time.

One notable figure bearing the surname Lord was Sir Thomas Lord (1558-1624), a successful merchant and landowner in England. He is best known for founding the famous Lord's Cricket Ground in London, which has become a iconic venue for cricket matches.

Another prominent individual with the surname Lord was Benjamin Lord (1693-1784), an American printer and publisher who played a significant role in the early days of the American Revolution. He published several influential pamphlets and newspapers that supported the patriot cause.

In the literary world, Gabrielle Lord (born 1946) is a renowned Australian author known for her crime fiction and children's books. Her works have gained critical acclaim and have been translated into numerous languages.

Thomas Lord (1755-1832), an English cricketer and businessman, was instrumental in establishing the modern form of the sport. He founded the Lord's Cricket Ground in London, which became a renowned venue for cricket matches and continues to host major international events.

Lastly, Walter Lord (1917-2002) was an American author and historian best known for his non-fiction works related to World War II, including "A Night to Remember," a bestselling account of the sinking of the RMS Titanic.

These are just a few examples of notable individuals throughout history who have carried the surname Lord, reflecting its long-standing presence and the diverse backgrounds of those who bear this name.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Lord

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

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

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

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