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

Rabbit, 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 Rabbit surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Rabbit in America

Rabbit is the 95955th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Rabbit surname appeared 190 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 Rabbit.

We can also compare 2010 data for Rabbit 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 Rabbit

The surname Rabbit is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period. It is likely derived from the Old English word "rabbet," which referred to a small furry mammal known for its long ears and ability to hop. Rabbit was initially an occupational surname, given to individuals who worked as hunters or trappers of rabbits.

In the 13th century, the name Rabbit appeared in various historical records and documents. One notable mention was in the Hundred Rolls of Shropshire, dated 1274, which listed a person named Willelmus le Rabit. This early spelling variation highlights the evolution of the surname over time.

During the 14th century, the surname Rabbit was found in various parts of England, particularly in the counties of Gloucestershire, Worcestershire, and Warwickshire. The Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from 1327 listed a John Rabbet, suggesting the name's presence in the region.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname Rabbit was Robert Rabbit, who lived in Gloucestershire in the late 14th century. He was mentioned in the Inquisitiones post mortem records from 1396, which documented the transfer of property upon a person's death.

In the 15th century, the name Rabbit was associated with several notable figures. William Rabbit (c. 1420-1490) was a prominent merchant from Bristol, known for his trade ventures with France and Spain. Meanwhile, John Rabbit (c. 1450-1518) was a respected lawyer and member of the Middle Temple in London.

The 16th century saw the surname Rabbit spread to other parts of England. Thomas Rabbit (1524-1589) was a farmer from Oxfordshire, while Elizabeth Rabbit (c. 1560-1632) was a landowner in Berkshire. During this period, the name was also found in various parish records and tax rolls.

As the centuries passed, the Rabbit surname continued to be widespread across England. Notable individuals with this name include:

1. Sir George Rabbit (1712-1784), a military officer who served in the British Army during the Seven Years' War.
2. Mary Rabbit (1745-1812), a pioneering educator who established one of the first schools for girls in London.
3. William Rabbit (1795-1868), a renowned architect responsible for designing several churches and public buildings in the Victorian era.
4. John Rabbit (1830-1901), a prominent writer and journalist who contributed to various newspapers and literary magazines.
5. Elizabeth Rabbit (1875-1957), a respected botanist and member of the Royal Horticultural Society, known for her work on plant taxonomy.

While the surname Rabbit originated in England, it has since spread to other parts of the world due to migration and immigration patterns. However, its roots can be traced back to the medieval period, when it was likely an occupational name associated with rabbit hunting and trapping.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Rabbit

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

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

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

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