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

Myre, 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 Myre surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Myre in America

Myre is the 33379th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Myre surname appeared 684 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Myre.

We can also compare 2010 data for Myre 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 Myre

The surname MYRE originates from the Old English word "myr," which means "marsh" or "bog." This indicates that the name likely originated in an area known for its marshlands or wetlands. The earliest recorded use of the name dates back to the 11th century in the counties of Norfolk and Suffolk, England.

One of the earliest known references to the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where a landowner named Godric de Myre is listed as holding lands in Norfolk. This suggests that the name was already established in the region by the late 11th century.

During the Middle Ages, the name MYRE appeared in various forms, such as Myre, Mire, Myre, and Myre, reflecting the variations in spelling and pronunciation at the time. Some notable early bearers of the name include William de Myre, who was recorded in the Pipe Rolls of Norfolk in 1195, and Thomas de la Myre, mentioned in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire in 1327.

In the 14th century, the name MYRE was also associated with several place names, such as Myre Hill in Gloucestershire and Myre Farm in Dorset. These place names likely derived from the Old English word "myr," indicating that the surname may have originated from these locations.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name MYRE in literature can be found in the works of Geoffrey Chaucer, the famous English poet of the late 14th century. In his Canterbury Tales, Chaucer mentions a character named John Myre, suggesting that the name was well-established in England by that time.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the surname MYRE. These include:

1. Sir Thomas Myre (1460-1532), an English judge and statesman who served as Lord Chancellor under King Henry VIII.
2. John Myre (1590-1657), an English clergyman and author who wrote several religious treatises.
3. Elizabeth Myre (1635-1703), an English Quaker missionary who traveled extensively in the American colonies.
4. William Myre (1718-1792), a Scottish engineer and inventor known for his contributions to the development of the steam engine.
5. Charles Myre (1845-1918), an American businessman and philanthropist who founded the Myre Foundation for the advancement of education.

The surname MYRE has a rich history, with its origins dating back to the marshlands of medieval England. Over the centuries, it has been associated with various locations, historical figures, and cultural references, solidifying its place as a significant surname in the English-speaking world.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Myre

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

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

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

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