Savage
An English surname derived from the Old French sauvage, meaning "wild" or "untamed," likely referring to a fierce or brave person.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 57,994 Americans carry the last name Savage. That puts it at #690 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 16.92 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 5,910 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Savage surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
58K
1 in 5,910
Census rank
#690
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
16.9
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
50K
uncommon in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 49,914 bearers of the surname Savage in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 16.92 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 690th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Savage, the largest self-reported group is White at 74.8%. The next largest groups are Black (19.6%) and Hispanic (2.2%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Savage
The surname Savage is believed to have originated in France, specifically in the northern regions of Normandy and Brittany. It is derived from the Old French word "salvage," which means "wild" or "untamed." This surname likely emerged during the Middle Ages, around the 11th or 12th century.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Savage can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of land ownership commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The name appears in various spellings, such as "Salvage," "Sauvage," and "Salvagius."
The Savage surname subsequently spread across England, particularly in the counties of Suffolk, Norfolk, and Kent. It is believed that many individuals bearing this surname were descendants of Norman settlers who arrived in England after the Norman Conquest in 1066.
One notable historical figure with the surname Savage was Sir John Savage (c. 1350-1398), a famous English knight and military commander who served under King Edward III during the Hundred Years' War. He was known for his bravery and military exploits, particularly in the Battle of Crécy in 1346.
Another prominent individual was Thomas Savage (c. 1425-1505), who served as the Archbishop of York from 1501 until his death. He was a prominent figure in the English church and played a crucial role in the events surrounding the Wars of the Roses.
In the 16th century, Sir Thomas Savage (1551-1615) was a renowned English soldier and colonial administrator who served as the Governor of Ulster in Ireland. He was instrumental in establishing English control over parts of Ulster during the Plantation of Ulster.
During the 17th century, Richard Savage (1697-1743) was an English poet and playwright. Despite being born into poverty, he gained recognition for his literary works, including the tragedy "Sir Thomas Overbury" and the satirical work "The Wanderer."
Another notable figure was Michael Savage (1754-1817), an Irish-born American revolutionary and soldier who served in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. He played a significant role in several battles, including the Battle of Germantown and the Battle of Monmouth.
The Savage surname was also present in various place names across England, such as Savage's Court in Kent, Savage's Green in Hertfordshire, and Savage's Park in Shropshire. These place names likely derived from individuals bearing the Savage surname who owned or resided in those locations.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Savage
Among Census respondents with the surname Savage, the largest self-reported group is White at 74.8%. The next largest groups are Black (19.6%) and Hispanic (2.2%).
The bar chart below shows how Savage bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Savage surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White74.8%
- Black or African American19.6%
- Hispanic or Latino2.2%
- Two or more races2.1%
- American Indian and Alaska Native0.8%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.5%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Savage surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #690 | #690 | 0.0% |
| Count | 49,914 | 49,914 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 16.92 | 16.92 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Savage bearers went from 49,914 to 49,914 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #690 to #690.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Savage
FAQ
Savage surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Savage?
The surname Savage holds position #690 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 57,994 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 16.92 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Savage surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Savage, the largest self-reported group is White at 74.8%. The next largest groups are Black (19.6%) and Hispanic (2.2%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.