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

Rhye, 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 Rhye surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Rhye in America

Rhye is the 113155th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Rhye surname appeared 155 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 Rhye.

We can also compare 2010 data for Rhye 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 Rhye

The surname RHYE has its origins in England, dating back to the 12th century. It is believed to have originated from the Old English word "ryge," meaning "rye," a type of cereal grain. This suggests that the name may have been occupational in nature, referring to individuals who cultivated or traded in rye.

In the ancient Domesday Book, a record of landowners and property holders in England compiled in 1086, there are several entries that mention individuals with variations of the name, such as "de Riga" and "de Rye." These early spellings indicate that the name was likely derived from place names associated with rye cultivation.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname RHYE can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Lincolnshire from 1202, which mention a "William de Rye." This suggests that the name had already become established as a hereditary surname by the early 13th century.

During the Middle Ages, the name RHYE appeared in various records and manuscripts across England. Notable individuals bearing this surname include Sir John Rhye (1450-1521), a prominent landowner and Member of Parliament for Gloucestershire, and Thomas Rhye (1592-1667), an English clergyman and author who wrote extensively on religious matters.

In the 16th and 17th centuries, the name RHYE was associated with several places in England, such as Rye in East Sussex and Rye Hill in Hertfordshire. These place names likely influenced the spelling and pronunciation of the surname over time.

Other historical figures with the surname RHYE include:

1. Walter de Rye (1270-1345), a wealthy merchant and landowner in Kent.
2. Robert Rhye (1520-1584), an English cartographer and explorer who accompanied Sir Walter Raleigh on his expeditions to the New World.
3. Elizabeth Rhye (1630-1703), a renowned herbalist and apothecary in London.
4. William Rhye (1725-1792), a prominent architect and builder responsible for several churches and public buildings in the Midlands.
5. Henry Rhye (1810-1878), a renowned English painter and illustrator known for his landscapes and portraits.

These examples demonstrate the long-standing presence of the surname RHYE in various regions of England, spanning diverse occupations and social classes.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Rhye

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

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

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

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