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

Run, 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 Run surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Run in America

Run is the 90113th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Run surname appeared 205 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 Run.

We can also compare 2010 data for Run 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 Run

The surname "Run" is believed to have originated in England during the Middle Ages, deriving from the Old English word "rūn," which meant a small stream or a watercourse. It is likely that the name was initially used as a topographic surname, referring to someone who lived near a small stream or brook.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "de la Rune," referring to a location near a small stream. This early spelling variation highlights the connection between the surname and its topographic origins.

Throughout the medieval period, the surname appeared in various records and manuscripts, often spelled differently depending on the region and the scribes' interpretations. Variations such as "Rune," "Roune," and "Roun" were common.

In the 13th century, the surname "Run" was associated with a prominent family from Northamptonshire, England. One notable member of this family was Sir William Run (1230-1295), a knight who fought in the Barons' War against King Henry III.

Another early bearer of the surname was John de la Rune (c. 1270-1340), a landowner from Oxfordshire whose name was recorded in the Hundred Rolls of 1273. This record provides insight into the geographic distribution of the surname during that time.

As the surname spread across England, it became associated with various places bearing similar names, such as Runham in Norfolk and Runwell in Essex. These place names likely influenced the spelling and pronunciation of the surname in different regions.

In the 16th century, a prominent figure bearing the surname "Run" was Thomas Run (1515-1582), a mercer and alderman in the City of London. He was known for his involvement in civic affairs and his support of charitable causes.

Another notable bearer of the surname was Sir William Run (1575-1648), a member of the English gentry from Gloucestershire. He served as a justice of the peace and was involved in local government during the reign of King Charles I.

As the centuries passed, the surname "Run" continued to be found in various parts of England, with families often tracing their roots back to specific regions or counties where the name was prevalent.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Run

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

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

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

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