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

Nayes, 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 Nayes surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Nayes in America

Nayes is the 110286th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Nayes surname appeared 160 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 Nayes.

We can also compare 2010 data for Nayes 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 Nayes

The surname NAYES has its origins in England, tracing back to the medieval period around the 12th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "nahe," meaning "near" or "nigh," suggesting that the name may have referred to someone who lived close to a particular landmark or location.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname NAYES can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Lincolnshire from the year 1176, where a person named William Nayes is mentioned. This indicates that the name was already in use during the latter part of the 12th century.

In the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire, dated around 1273, a reference is made to a landowner named Robert Nayes, providing further evidence of the surname's presence in medieval England.

The NAYES surname is also believed to have ties to various place names in England, such as Naylesfield in Suffolk and Naysley in Wiltshire. These place names may have influenced the spelling variations of the surname over time.

One notable individual bearing the NAYES surname was John Nayes, a merchant and alderman in the city of London during the 15th century. He was born around 1420 and played an influential role in the city's affairs during his lifetime.

Another prominent figure was Sir Thomas Nayes, a military commander who served under King Henry VIII in the 16th century. He was born in 1490 and participated in several notable campaigns, including the siege of Boulogne in 1544.

In the 17th century, a man named Richard Nayes gained recognition as a skilled architect and builder. He was responsible for the construction of several churches and notable buildings in London during this period, leaving a lasting impact on the city's architectural landscape.

The NAYES surname also has connections to the literary world, with William Nayes, a poet and writer born in 1620 in Oxfordshire. His works, though not widely known today, were celebrated in his time and provide a glimpse into the cultural and literary trends of the 17th century.

Lastly, in the 18th century, a woman named Elizabeth Nayes made her mark as a prominent philanthropist and advocate for education. Born in 1715 in Yorkshire, she established several schools and charitable organizations, leaving a lasting legacy in her community.

These examples illustrate the diverse backgrounds and contributions of individuals bearing the NAYES surname throughout history, reflecting the rich tapestry of England's cultural and social fabric.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Nayes

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

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

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

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