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

Rush, 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 Rush surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Rush in America

Rush is the 869th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Rush surname appeared 39,802 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 13 people would have the surname Rush.

We can also compare 2010 data for Rush 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 Rush

The surname Rush is of English origin and can be traced back to the 13th century. It is derived from the Old English word "rysc," meaning a rush or reed plant, which was commonly found in marshy areas. The name was likely adopted as a descriptive surname for someone who lived near a rush-covered area or worked with rushes in some capacity.

The earliest recorded instance of the surname Rush is found in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire from 1273, where a William le Russh is mentioned. This early spelling variation highlights the connection to the Old English word "rysc." In the 14th century, the name appears in various records, including the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from 1327, with an entry for a Richard le Russhe.

One of the earliest known bearers of the surname Rush was John Rush, a prominent English landowner who lived in the 15th century. He was recorded as owning lands in Middlesex and Essex in the latter part of the 1400s.

Another notable historical figure with the surname Rush was Benjamin Rush, an American physician and a signer of the Declaration of Independence. He was born in 1746 and played a significant role in the American Revolution and the founding of the United States.

In the 16th century, the surname Rush was found in various parts of England, with concentrations in counties such as Oxfordshire, Worcestershire, and Gloucestershire. The name was also present in the nearby counties of Warwickshire and Northamptonshire.

The surname Rush has been associated with several place names in England, such as Rush Green in Essex, Rush Court in Worcestershire, and Rush Farm in Oxfordshire. These place names likely derived from the Old English word "rysc," indicating areas where rushes grew in abundance.

Other notable individuals with the surname Rush include Sir William Rush, an English politician who served as the Lord Mayor of London in 1681. In the literary world, Benjamin Rush, an American writer and physician, was born in 1745 and is known for his works on medical topics and his involvement in the American Revolution.

Geoffrey Rush, the acclaimed Australian actor, is another well-known bearer of the surname. Born in 1951, he has received numerous accolades, including an Academy Award, for his performances in films such as "Shine" and "The King's Speech."

Throughout history, the surname Rush has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including landowners, physicians, politicians, and artists, reflecting its enduring presence and the diverse backgrounds of those who bear this name.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Rush

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

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

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

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