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

Quaid, 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 Quaid surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Quaid in America

Quaid is the 28437th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Quaid surname appeared 839 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 Quaid.

We can also compare 2010 data for Quaid 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 Quaid

The surname Quaid is believed to have originated in Ireland, with roots that can be traced back to the 16th century. It is derived from the Irish Gaelic word "cuaidh," which means "to go" or "to walk." This suggests that the name may have been initially given to someone who traveled frequently or was known for their wanderlust.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Quaid can be found in the Annals of the Four Masters, a chronicle of medieval Irish history compiled by Franciscan monks in the 17th century. The Annals mention a "Quaid Ó Cearbhallán," who was a prominent figure in County Tyrone during the late 16th century.

In the 17th and 18th centuries, the name Quaid began to spread beyond Ireland, particularly to Scotland and England. This was likely due to the migration of Irish families seeking better opportunities or fleeing the political and religious turmoil of the time.

One notable individual with the surname Quaid was Reverend Roger Quaid, a Presbyterian minister who lived in County Antrim, Ireland, in the late 18th century. He was known for his influential sermons and his efforts to promote education in the region.

In the early 19th century, a branch of the Quaid family settled in the Scottish Highlands, where they became prominent landowners and involved in the local community. One member of this family, John Quaid, born in 1812, was a respected magistrate and served as the sheriff of Inverness-shire.

Another prominent bearer of the Quaid name was James Quaid, an Irish-born journalist and political activist who lived in the late 19th century. He was a vocal advocate for Irish independence and played a significant role in the Irish nationalist movement.

As the Quaid family continued to spread across the British Isles and beyond, the name underwent various spelling variations, including Quade, Quayde, and Quayd. These variations were often influenced by regional dialects and the preferences of individual families.

Overall, the surname Quaid has a rich history that spans centuries and reflects the migration and experiences of Irish and Scottish families. Its origins can be traced back to the Irish Gaelic language, and it has been borne by individuals from diverse backgrounds, including clergy, landowners, and political activists.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Quaid

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

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

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

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