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

Needs, 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 Needs surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Needs in America

Needs is the 40610th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Needs surname appeared 538 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 Needs.

We can also compare 2010 data for Needs 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 Needs

The surname "NEEDS" is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period, with its roots tracing back to the Old English word "nede," which meant "necessity" or "obligation." This name was likely bestowed upon families or individuals who were associated with the provision of essential goods or services, or perhaps those who were known for their resourcefulness in times of scarcity.

Over the centuries, the name "NEEDS" has been documented in various historical records and manuscripts across England. One of the earliest known references dates back to the late 13th century, when a John Needs was mentioned in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire. These rolls were administrative records compiled during the reign of King Edward I, providing valuable insights into the lives and occupations of individuals at that time.

In the 14th century, the name "NEEDS" appeared in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire, which were tax records used to collect funds for military campaigns. One notable entry from this period was that of a William Needs, who was documented as a landowner in the village of Evesham.

As the name spread across different regions, it underwent slight variations in spelling, such as "Nedys" and "Neddes," reflecting the local dialects and pronunciation of the era. These variations can be found in various historical documents, including parish records and court proceedings.

Among the notable individuals bearing the surname "NEEDS" throughout history, one can mention:

1. John Needs (c. 1550 - 1615), an English merchant and alderman of the City of London, who served as the Lord Mayor of London in 1607-1608.

2. Elizabeth Needs (1633 - 1703), a renowned midwife from the town of Stratford-upon-Avon, who attended to numerous births in the local community during the 17th century.

3. Samuel Needs (1675 - 1734), a prominent English clockmaker from Clerkenwell, London, known for his intricate timepieces and innovative designs.

4. Mary Needs (1738 - 1811), a philanthropist and benefactor from Yorkshire, who established several charitable initiatives to support the education of underprivileged children in her local area.

5. William Needs (1805 - 1879), a respected English architect who designed several notable buildings in the Gothic Revival style, including churches and public structures across the Midlands region.

While the surname "NEEDS" has its origins in England, it has since spread to other parts of the world through migration and exploration, with families bearing this name now found in various countries and cultures, each with their own unique stories and histories.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Needs

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

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

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

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