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

Mitchem, 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 Mitchem surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Mitchem in America

Mitchem is the 6793rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Mitchem surname appeared 4,965 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 2 people would have the surname Mitchem.

We can also compare 2010 data for Mitchem 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 Mitchem

The surname Mitchem is of English origin and can be traced back to the late 12th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English words "micce" meaning "big" and "ham" meaning "homestead" or "village". This suggests that the name may have referred to someone who lived in a large village or settlement.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Mitchem can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire from the year 1195, where it appears as "Mycham". This spelling variation is likely due to the evolution of the name over time and the lack of standardized spelling during the medieval period.

The Mitchem name has also been linked to various place names in England, such as Mitcham in Surrey and Mitcham in Somerset. These places may have been named after early bearers of the Mitchem surname, or the surname may have derived from the place name itself.

In the 13th century, a notable figure named William de Mitcham is mentioned in the Feet of Fines records for Warwickshire. These records document the transfer of land ownership, indicating that the Mitcham family held property during this time.

During the 14th century, the Mitchem name appeared in several historical documents, including the Poll Tax Returns of 1377 and the Subsidy Rolls of 1381. These records provide valuable insight into the distribution and prevalence of the name across different regions of England.

One of the most prominent individuals bearing the Mitchem surname was Sir John Mitchem (1530-1609), a successful merchant and politician who served as the Lord Mayor of London in 1599. He was also a member of the Worshipful Company of Mercers, a prestigious livery company in the City of London.

Another notable figure was Thomas Mitchem (1567-1641), an English clergyman who served as the Dean of Chichester Cathedral during the reign of King James I. He was known for his scholarly works and contributions to theological studies.

In the 18th century, a prominent family with the Mitchem surname resided in Gloucestershire. One member, William Mitchem (1712-1789), was a successful landowner and philanthropist, known for his support of local charities and educational institutions.

The Mitchem name has also been associated with various literary works and historical accounts, further cementing its place in English history and culture. While the name may have evolved over time, its origins and historical significance remain an integral part of its rich heritage.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Mitchem

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

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

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

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