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

Point, 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 Point surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Point in America

Point is the 37591st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Point surname appeared 592 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 Point.

We can also compare 2010 data for Point 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 Point

The surname POINT originated in England, with the earliest records dating back to the 13th century. It is derived from the Old French word "point," meaning "point" or "promontory," referring to someone who lived near a prominent geographic feature or on a piece of land that jutted out into a body of water.

The name was initially concentrated in the southern counties of England, particularly in areas near the coast or major rivers. Records from the medieval period show various spellings, such as Pointe, Poynt, and Pynte, reflecting the fluidity of spelling conventions at the time.

One of the earliest known bearers of the name was Robert de la Punte, who was mentioned in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire in 1221. The Pipe Rolls were financial records maintained by the English Exchequer, providing valuable insights into the lives and activities of individuals during that era.

In the 14th century, the POINT surname appeared in the Hundred Rolls, a census-like survey conducted in England between 1274 and 1279. The Hundred Rolls recorded instances of the name in counties like Oxfordshire, where a William de la Pynte was listed as a landowner.

The Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of land ownership and taxation commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086, does not contain any direct references to the POINT surname. However, it does mention several place names that may have influenced the eventual adoption of the surname, such as "La Punte" and "Punta."

One notable figure bearing the POINT surname was Sir John Point (c. 1460-1532), a wealthy merchant and member of the Worshipful Company of Mercers in London. He served as the Lord Mayor of London in 1518-1519 and was knighted by King Henry VIII.

Another individual of historical significance was Robert Point (c. 1520-1592), an English theologian and Protestant reformer. He was a prominent figure in the Church of England during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I and served as the Dean of Windsor from 1577 until his death.

In the 17th century, the POINT surname was associated with several notable figures in the American colonies. Thomas Point (1623-1677) was one of the earliest settlers in Taunton, Massachusetts, arriving in the 1640s. His descendants went on to establish themselves as prominent landowners and community leaders in the region.

The POINT surname was also present in other parts of the world, although its origins can be traced back to England. For instance, John Point (1761-1830) was a British soldier and explorer who served in India and is known for his contributions to the mapping and surveying of the subcontinent.

Throughout history, the POINT surname has been borne by a diverse array of individuals, from merchants and clergymen to soldiers and explorers. Its origins as a descriptive name reflecting geographic features have given it a rich and varied historical tapestry.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Point

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

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

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

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