Mingus
A variant spelling of the English surname Minge, derived from the Middle English word "mynge" meaning a loud cry or call.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 2,091 Americans carry the last name Mingus. That puts it at #16,064 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.61 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 163,919 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Mingus 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
2.1K
1 in 163,919
Census rank
#16,064
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.6
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
1.8K
rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 1,803 bearers of the surname Mingus in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.61 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 16064th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Mingus, the largest self-reported group is White at 92.4%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.7%) and Two or More Races (2.3%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Mingus
The surname Mingus is believed to have originated in England, possibly derived from the Old English word "minga," meaning "to remember" or "to commemorate." It is thought to have first emerged in the 12th or 13th century.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire in 1273, where it appears as "Mingo." This suggests that the name may have initially been a nickname or a shortened form of a longer name.
During the medieval period, the name was concentrated in the counties of Norfolk, Suffolk, and Essex in East Anglia. It is possible that the name originated from a place name, as many surnames were derived from the locations where individuals or families resided.
In the 16th century, the name appeared in various spellings, including "Myngus," "Myngos," and "Myngus." This variation in spelling was common during that time, as standardized spellings were not yet established.
One notable figure with the surname Mingus was Charles Mingus, an influential American jazz bassist, composer, and bandleader who lived from 1922 to 1979. He is widely regarded as one of the most important figures in the development of modern jazz.
Another individual with this surname was William Mingus, an American politician who served as a member of the United States House of Representatives from Pennsylvania in the early 19th century, from 1811 to 1815.
In the late 19th century, a man named Andrew Jackson Mingus gained recognition as a prominent farmer and landowner in the state of Indiana.
The surname Mingus can also be found in historical records from other parts of the world, such as Germany and the Netherlands, where it may have been adopted by individuals or families who migrated from England.
One notable bearer of this name was Johann Mingus, a German philosopher and theologian who lived in the 17th century and contributed to the development of Protestant thought during that period.
While the exact origin and early history of the surname Mingus remain somewhat uncertain, it is clear that the name has a long and varied presence across different regions and time periods, with individuals bearing this surname making notable contributions in various fields.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Mingus
Among Census respondents with the surname Mingus, the largest self-reported group is White at 92.4%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.7%) and Two or More Races (2.3%).
The bar chart below shows how Mingus 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 Mingus surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White92.4%
- Hispanic or Latino2.7%
- Two or more races2.3%
- Black or African American1.6%
- American Indian and Alaska Native0.6%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.4%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Mingus 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 | #15,413 | #16,064 | -4.2% |
| Count | 1,746 | 1,803 | 3.3% |
| Per 100K | 0.65 | 0.61 | -6.2% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Mingus bearers went from 1,746 to 1,803 (+3.3% change). The surname moved down 651 positions in the national ranking, going from #15,413 to #16,064.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Mingus
FAQ
Mingus surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Mingus?
The surname Mingus holds position #16,064 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 2,091 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.61 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Mingus surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Mingus, the largest self-reported group is White at 92.4%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.7%) and Two or More Races (2.3%). 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.