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

Northup, 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 Northup surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Northup in America

Northup is the 11672nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Northup surname appeared 2,686 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Northup.

We can also compare 2010 data for Northup 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 Northup

The surname Northup has its origins in England, and it is believed to have emerged during the medieval period. The name is derived from the Old English words "norþ" and "hop," which collectively translate to "northern valley." This suggests that the earliest bearers of the name likely resided in a northern valley or a region characterized by a valley situated in the northern part of the country.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Northup surname can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive record of land ownership and taxation compiled in 1086 by order of King William the Conqueror. The name appears to have been spelled as "Northope" in this historical document, reflecting the linguistic evolution of the surname over time.

During the 13th century, the name Northup was associated with various place names in England, such as Northope in Shropshire and Northope in Gloucestershire. These place names likely influenced the spelling and pronunciation of the surname, further contributing to its regional variations.

One notable individual who bore the Northup surname was Sir John Northup (1470-1537), a prominent English merchant and member of the Worshipful Company of Mercers. He served as the Lord Mayor of London in 1512 and played a significant role in the city's commercial affairs during the Tudor period.

Another historically significant figure was Elizabeth Northup (1594-1672), a Puritan woman who immigrated to the Massachusetts Bay Colony in the early 17th century. She was among the first settlers of the town of Ipswich and is recognized for her contributions to the establishment of the Puritan community in New England.

In the 18th century, William Northup (1720-1798) gained recognition as a skilled craftsman and furniture maker in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His handcrafted pieces were highly sought after by the wealthy and influential families of the time, and some of his works are still preserved in museums today.

During the American Revolutionary War, Captain James Northup (1745-1823) served in the Continental Army and participated in several notable battles, including the Battle of Bunker Hill. His bravery and leadership earned him commendations from his superiors and contributed to the eventual success of the American cause.

In the realm of literature, the name Northup is associated with Solomon Northup (1808-1863), an African American man who was born free but was kidnapped and sold into slavery in 1841. His autobiographical memoir, "Twelve Years a Slave," became a bestseller and provided a powerful firsthand account of the atrocities of slavery in the United States.

Through these examples, it is evident that the Northup surname has a rich history spanning several centuries and encompassing various regions, occupations, and notable individuals who have left an indelible mark on their respective fields and societies.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Northup

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

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

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

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