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

Nearing, 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 Nearing surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Nearing in America

Nearing is the 33894th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Nearing surname appeared 671 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 Nearing.

We can also compare 2010 data for Nearing 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 Nearing

The surname NEARING is of English origin, with roots dating back to the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Old English words "nearu" or "neor," which meant "narrow" or "near." This suggests that the name may have initially referred to someone who lived near a specific geographical feature, such as a narrow passage or a constricted area.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name NEARING can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a comprehensive survey of landholdings in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. The name appeared as "Neering" in this document, indicating its presence in the region during the Norman period.

During the 13th and 14th centuries, the name NEARING began to spread across various counties in England, particularly in the southern and western regions. Records from this era show variations in spelling, such as "Nerynge," "Neyring," and "Neeringe," reflecting the evolving nature of the English language and regional dialects.

One notable bearer of the NEARING surname was Sir John Nearing, a prominent English lawyer and judge who lived from 1492 to 1558. He served as a Justice of the Common Pleas and played a significant role in the legal system during the reign of Henry VIII and Edward VI.

In the 17th century, the name NEARING appeared in several parish records and court documents across England. One notable figure was Thomas Nearing, a wealthy merchant and landowner who lived in Dorset from 1624 to 1693. He was known for his involvement in local politics and his philanthropic efforts.

Another individual of note was Elizabeth Nearing, born in 1678 in Wiltshire. She gained recognition as a skilled herbalist and midwife, and her knowledge of medicinal plants was highly valued in her community.

During the 19th century, the NEARING surname spread further afield, with families bearing the name emigrating to various parts of the British Empire, including Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. One such individual was William Nearing, born in 1821 in Yorkshire, who became a successful sheep farmer in New South Wales, Australia.

Throughout its history, the NEARING surname has been associated with various occupations and professions, from lawyers and merchants to farmers and tradesmen. While its origins may have been humble, the name has endured and spread across generations, carrying with it the legacy of its English roots.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Nearing

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

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

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

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