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

Nears, 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 Nears surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Nears in America

Nears is the 152628th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Nears surname appeared 107 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 Nears.

The history of the last name Nears

The surname NEARS is of English origin, with roots dating back to the 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "nearu", meaning "narrow", which was often used as a topographic surname to describe someone who lived near a narrow passage or path.

In the medieval period, the name was predominantly found in the counties of Devon, Somerset, and Dorset, where the earliest recorded instances of NEARS appeared. The Hundred Rolls of 1273 mention a William le Nere, which is likely an early spelling variation of the name.

In the 14th century, the NEARS surname appears in various legal documents and tax records. The Register of the Freemen of the City of York, dated 1363, lists a Thomas Neres, suggesting the name had spread to other regions of England by that time.

One of the earliest notable individuals bearing the NEARS surname was Sir John Nears, a military commander who served under King Edward III during the Hundred Years' War. He was knighted for his bravery in the Battle of Crécy in 1346.

In the 16th century, the NEARS family had established a presence in the county of Wiltshire, where the village of Nears Green likely took its name from the family. The parish records of St. Mary's Church in Devizes, Wiltshire, mention a William Nears who was baptized in 1587.

During the English Civil War in the 17th century, Captain Robert Nears fought for the Parliamentarian forces and was commended for his service at the Battle of Naseby in 1645.

In the literary world, the poet and dramatist John Nears (1640-1701) gained recognition for his works, including the popular play "The Rival Queens".

As the NEARS surname spread across England over the centuries, it encountered various spelling variations, such as Neers, Neares, and Neares, reflecting regional dialects and scribal errors.

Other notable individuals with the NEARS surname include Mary Nears (1782-1845), a prominent educator and advocate for women's education in Yorkshire, and Sir Richard Nears (1818-1892), a British naval officer who played a crucial role in the Crimean War.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Nears

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

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 Nears 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.

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

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

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