Lynn
A locational surname referring to a person who lived near a lake, waterfall, or pool.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 43,735 Americans carry the last name Lynn. That puts it at #924 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 12.76 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 7,837 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Lynn 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
44K
1 in 7,837
Census rank
#924
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
12.8
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
38K
uncommon in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 37,644 bearers of the surname Lynn in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 12.76 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 924th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Lynn, the largest self-reported group is White at 84.6%. The next largest groups are Black (9.0%) and Hispanic (2.5%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Lynn
The surname LYNN is an English locational name that originated from the Old English word 'lin' meaning a pool or lake. It was initially used to refer to someone who lived near a body of water, such as a lake or pond.
The name can be traced back to the 12th century when it was first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as 'Linna' in reference to a place in Norfolk, England. Over time, the spelling evolved into various forms like Linn, Linne, and eventually LYNN.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname LYNN can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Lincolnshire from 1181, where it appeared as 'Robertus de Linna'. This suggests that the name was well-established in parts of England by the late 12th century.
In the 13th century, the surname LYNN was associated with several notable individuals, including Sir Philip de Lynn, a knight who fought in the Battle of Lewes in 1264. Another early bearer of the name was William de Lynn, a wealthy merchant from King's Lynn, Norfolk, who lived in the late 13th century.
The surname LYNN has also been linked to various place names, such as King's Lynn in Norfolk, which was originally known as 'Lun' or 'Lenne' in Old English. This connection further reinforces the locational origin of the surname.
Among the notable bearers of the surname LYNN throughout history are:
1. Thomas Lynn (c. 1530-1616), an English mathematician and astronomer who served as the Chief Gunner of England.
2. Ralph Lynn (1882-1962), an English actor and comedian, known for his performances in films and on stage.
3. Vera Lynn (1917-2020), a renowned British singer and entertainer, famously known as the "Forces' Sweetheart" during World War II.
4. Jonathan Lynn (born 1943), a British writer, director, and actor, best known for co-writing and directing the comedy films "Clue" and "Nuns on the Run."
5. Loretta Lynn (1932-2022), an American singer-songwriter and author, considered a leading figure in country music and a recipient of numerous awards and accolades.
The surname LYNN has a rich history, originating from the Old English word for a pool or lake, and has been associated with various notable individuals, places, and events throughout the centuries.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Lynn
Among Census respondents with the surname Lynn, the largest self-reported group is White at 84.6%. The next largest groups are Black (9.0%) and Hispanic (2.5%).
The bar chart below shows how Lynn 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 Lynn surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White84.6%
- Black or African American9.0%
- Hispanic or Latino2.5%
- Two or more races1.8%
- Asian and Pacific Islander1.4%
- American Indian and Alaska Native0.7%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Lynn 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 | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #924 | #924 | 0.0% |
| Count | 37,644 | 37,644 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 12.76 | 12.76 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Lynn bearers went from 37,644 to 37,644 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #924 to #924.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Lynn
FAQ
Lynn surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Lynn?
The surname Lynn holds position #924 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 43,735 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 12.76 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Lynn surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Lynn, the largest self-reported group is White at 84.6%. The next largest groups are Black (9.0%) and Hispanic (2.5%). 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.