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

Roam, 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 Roam surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Roam in America

Roam is the 46404th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Roam surname appeared 459 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 Roam.

We can also compare 2010 data for Roam 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 Roam

The surname ROAM is believed to have originated in England, emerging sometime around the 13th century. It is thought to be derived from the Old English word "ramen," meaning "to roam" or "to wander," suggesting a nomadic or itinerant ancestry.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname ROAM can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire from 1273, where a Thomas Raam is mentioned. This early spelling variation highlights the fluid nature of surnames during that time period.

Another noteworthy reference is found in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from 1327, which lists a William Roome. The varying spellings, such as Roome and Raume, were common due to the lack of standardized spelling conventions in those days.

During the medieval period, the surname ROAM was often associated with individuals who led a wandering lifestyle, perhaps as merchants, travelers, or even entertainers. It is possible that some bearers of the name may have acquired it as a descriptive nickname based on their nomadic tendencies.

One notable individual bearing the surname was Sir Thomas Roam (1582-1644), an English soldier and landowner who fought in the English Civil War. He was knighted for his military service under King Charles I.

Another prominent figure was John Roam (1647-1712), an English clergyman and philosopher, who served as the rector of St. Michael's Church in Coventry and authored several theological works.

In the 18th century, a notable bearer of the surname was Elizabeth Roam (1723-1789), a renowned English author and poet who gained popularity for her romantic novels and poetry collections.

Moving into the 19th century, we encounter Robert Roam (1835-1901), a successful English industrialist and philanthropist who made significant contributions to the development of the textile industry in his hometown of Manchester.

Lastly, it is worth mentioning Sir Arthur Roam (1867-1942), a British naval officer and explorer who led several expeditions to the Arctic regions and received knighthood for his contributions to geographical discoveries.

While these are just a few examples, the surname ROAM has a rich and varied history, reflecting the wandering spirit and diverse pursuits of those who bore this name throughout the centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Roam

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

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

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

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