Ludgood
A variant spelling of the English surname "Ledgood," thought to be derived from a place name.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 171 Americans carry the last name Ludgood. That puts it at #115,034 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.05 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 2,004,411 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Ludgood 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
171
1 in 2,004,411
Census rank
#115,034
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
152
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 152 bearers of the surname Ludgood in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.05 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 115034th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Ludgood, the largest self-reported group is Black at 91.5%. The next largest groups are White (4.6%) and Two or More Races (3.3%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Ludgood
The surname LUDGOOD is of English origin, traced back to the Middle Ages. It likely originated from the Old English words "lud" meaning "loud" or "noisy" and "god" meaning "good." This suggests the name may have been initially given to a boisterous or lively individual with a positive demeanor.
One of the earliest records of the LUDGOOD surname can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire from 1166, where a William Ludgood is mentioned. This indicates the name was already established in northern England during the 12th century.
In the 13th century, the surname appeared in various forms such as "Ludegod" and "Ludgode" in tax records and legal documents across counties like Somerset, Wiltshire, and Gloucestershire. This variation in spelling was common during that era.
The Hundred Rolls of 1273 include an entry for a Robert Ludgode, a landowner from the village of Ludgershall in Buckinghamshire. This place name is believed to have derived from the Old English "Ludes" and "healh," meaning "Lude's nook or corner of land."
In the 14th century, the LUDGOOD surname gained prominence with the birth of Sir John Ludgood (1320-1388), a respected knight and landowner from Oxfordshire. He was known for his service in the Hundred Years' War and his involvement in local governance.
Another notable figure was Thomas Ludgood (1495-1557), a wealthy merchant and alderman in the City of London during the reign of Henry VIII. He was a member of the Worshipful Company of Vintners and served as the Sheriff of London in 1545.
During the English Civil War, Captain William Ludgood (1610-1672) fought on the Parliamentarian side and was commended for his bravery at the Battle of Naseby in 1645. He later settled in Gloucestershire and became a prominent local figure.
In the 18th century, the LUDGOOD name was associated with the arts, with the birth of the acclaimed painter and portraitist, Robert Ludgood (1720-1798). His works are displayed in various prestigious galleries and collections across Britain.
The 19th century saw the rise of Sir Edward Ludgood (1845-1923), a successful industrialist and philanthropist from the West Midlands. He was knighted for his contributions to the local community and his efforts in promoting education and social welfare initiatives.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Ludgood
Among Census respondents with the surname Ludgood, the largest self-reported group is Black at 91.5%. The next largest groups are White (4.6%) and Two or More Races (3.3%).
The bar chart below shows how Ludgood 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 Ludgood surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- Black or African American91.5%
- White4.6%
- Two or more races3.3%
- Unknown or suppressed0.6%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Ludgood 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 | #115,489 | #115,034 | 0.4% |
| Count | 140 | 152 | 8.6% |
| Per 100K | 0.05 | 0.05 | 0.0% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Ludgood bearers went from 140 to 152 (+8.6% change). The surname moved up 455 positions in the national ranking, going from #115,489 to #115,034.
FAQ
Ludgood surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Ludgood?
The surname Ludgood holds position #115,034 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 171 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.05 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Ludgood surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Ludgood, the largest self-reported group is Black at 91.5%. The next largest groups are White (4.6%) and Two or More Races (3.3%). 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.