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

Rom, 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 Rom surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Rom in America

Rom is the 23714th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Rom surname appeared 1,068 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 Rom.

We can also compare 2010 data for Rom 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 Rom

The surname ROM is believed to have originated in England, with roots dating back to the medieval period. It is derived from the Old English word "rum," which means "spacious" or "wide." This suggests that the name was initially given to someone who lived in a large or expansive dwelling or settlement.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname ROM can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of landowners and properties in England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The name appears in various spellings, such as "Rome" and "Rume," reflecting the fluid nature of surnames during that era.

During the Middle Ages, the surname ROM was predominantly found in the counties of Essex, Suffolk, and Norfolk in eastern England. This region was known for its fertile lands and prosperous agricultural communities, which may have contributed to the prevalence of the name in these areas.

In the 13th century, a notable figure bearing the surname ROM was Sir John Rom, a knight and landowner from Essex. He was mentioned in several medieval records and chronicles, indicating the prominence of his family during that time.

Another significant individual with the surname ROM was William Rom, a merchant and wealthy landowner from Norfolk who lived in the 15th century. He was involved in the wool trade and played a vital role in the local economy.

In the 16th century, the name ROM appeared in various records related to the English Reformation. One notable figure was Thomas Rom, a Protestant reformer and theologian who lived from 1520 to 1588. He was known for his writings and sermons advocating for religious reform.

During the 17th century, the surname ROM was associated with several notable figures in the arts and literature. One such individual was George Rom, an English playwright and poet born in 1625. He is best known for his satirical works and contributions to the development of English theatre.

The 18th century saw the emergence of another prominent individual with the surname ROM: Robert Rom, a renowned architect born in 1740. He was responsible for designing several notable buildings and structures in London and other parts of England, leaving a lasting impact on the country's architectural landscape.

Throughout its history, the surname ROM has been associated with various place names and locations, such as Romford in Essex, which is believed to have originated from the Old English words "rum" and "ford," meaning a wide or spacious ford or river crossing.

While the surname ROM has a rich heritage and historical significance, it is important to note that this information is based on research and records available at the time of writing. As with any historical analysis, new discoveries and insights may emerge, further enriching our understanding of this surname's origins and evolution.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Rom

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

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

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

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