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

Numbers, 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 Numbers surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Numbers in America

Numbers is the 54418th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Numbers surname appeared 379 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 Numbers.

We can also compare 2010 data for Numbers 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 Numbers

The surname NUMBERS is of English origin, derived from the occupation of a numerator or someone who dealt with numbers or calculations. The name can be traced back to the early 13th century, with records showing variations such as Numerour and Numeroure.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name is found in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273, which mentions a John le Numerour from Oxfordshire. This suggests that the name was initially used as a descriptive term for someone who worked as a clerk, accountant, or in a similar numerical profession.

The surname NUMBERS is also believed to have roots in certain place names, particularly those derived from the Old English word "numerian," meaning "to number" or "to count." Some examples include the village of Numburnholme in East Yorkshire, which was recorded as Numeran holme in the Domesday Book of 1086.

During the Middle Ages, the name NUMBERS appeared in various historical documents, such as the Assize Rolls of Staffordshire in 1279, which mention a William le Numerour. The name was also present in the Pipe Rolls of Worcestershire in 1275, referencing a Hugo le Numerour.

Notable individuals with the surname NUMBERS include:

1. John Numbers (c. 1370-1445), an English philosopher and mathematician from Oxford, known for his work on arithmetic and algebra.
2. William Numbers (1508-1572), a English merchant and explorer who sailed to the West Indies and documented his travels in the book "A Voyage to the New World."
3. Elizabeth Numbers (1642-1712), an English poet and playwright whose works were published in the late 17th century.
4. Thomas Numbers (1718-1789), a British military officer who served in the American Revolutionary War and is noted for his role in the Battle of Bunker Hill.
5. Charlotte Numbers (1837-1912), a British philanthropist and social reformer who established several schools and charities in London for underprivileged children.

The name NUMBERS has endured through the centuries, though its frequency and distribution have varied across different regions and time periods. While the surname may have originated from occupational roots, it has since become a part of the diverse tapestry of English surnames, carrying with it a rich history and connection to the past.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Numbers

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

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

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

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