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

Onion, 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 Onion surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Onion in America

Onion is the 68770th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Onion surname appeared 286 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 Onion.

We can also compare 2010 data for Onion 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 Onion

The surname "ONION" has its origins in the Mediterranean region, particularly in countries such as Italy and Greece, where the onion was a staple vegetable in their cuisine. Historically, surnames derived from occupations or objects were common, and "Onion" likely originated as a nickname for someone who grew, sold, or had a particular affinity for this pungent bulb.

The earliest recorded instance of the surname "Onion" can be traced back to the 14th century in the Italian region of Tuscany. Records from the city of Florence mention a family with the name "Cipolla," which translates to "Onion" in Italian. This suggests that the surname may have originated as a descriptive name for someone associated with onions, either through their occupation or physical appearance.

In the 16th century, the surname "Onion" made its way to England, where it was likely brought by Italian immigrants or traders. The first known record of the name in England dates back to 1587, when a man named John Onion was mentioned in the parish records of St. Giles Cripplegate in London.

One of the earliest prominent figures with the surname "Onion" was William Onion, a 17th-century English poet and playwright. Born in 1628 in London, he is best known for his satirical play "The Atheist Unmasked," which criticized the growing influence of atheism and skepticism in English society.

Another notable individual with the surname "Onion" was Sarah Onion, a 19th-century British writer and activist. Born in 1830 in Lincolnshire, she was a staunch advocate for women's rights and education. Her works include the novel "The Vicar's Daughter" and several essays on social and political issues.

In the late 19th century, the Onion surname made its way to North America, where it was adopted by immigrants from various European countries. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name in the United States was that of John Onion, a farmer from Pennsylvania who served in the American Civil War.

Moving into the 20th century, one of the most famous individuals with the surname "Onion" was Sir Peter Onion, a British diplomat and ambassador. Born in 1922 in London, he served as the United Kingdom's ambassador to several countries, including Italy and the United States, and played a significant role in international diplomacy during the Cold War era.

While the surname "Onion" may seem unusual or even humorous to some, it has a rich and diverse history that spans multiple countries and centuries. From its humble beginnings as a descriptive name for those associated with onions, it has evolved into a recognizable surname with a distinct cultural and historical significance.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Onion

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

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

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

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