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

Searcy, 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 Searcy surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Searcy in America

Searcy is the 3490th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Searcy surname appeared 10,243 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 3 people would have the surname Searcy.

We can also compare 2010 data for Searcy 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 Searcy

The surname Searcy has its origins in England, dating back to the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Old English words "sār" meaning "sore" or "painful" and "cȳ" meaning "dwelling" or "enclosure." This suggests that the name may have originated from a place name referring to a settlement or homestead associated with some form of hardship or difficulty.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Sarci" and is listed as a place name in Lincolnshire. This indicates that the name was already in use as a locational surname by the 11th century.

During the 13th century, the name appeared in various records with spellings such as "Sarcy," "Sarcey," and "Sarsey." These variations likely reflect the inconsistencies in spelling and pronunciation common in that era before standardization became more widespread.

In the 14th century, the surname Searcy was documented in the Hundred Rolls of Bedfordshire, where it was recorded as "Sarcy." This provides further evidence of the name's longevity and its association with different regions of England.

One notable historical figure bearing the surname Searcy was Sir Robert Searcy, a prominent English politician and landowner who lived in the late 15th century. He served as a Member of Parliament for Nottinghamshire and was recognized for his contributions to local governance.

Another individual of note was Thomas Searcy, a 17th-century English clergyman and author. Born in 1607, he was known for his religious writings and served as the Rector of Bringhurst in Leicestershire.

In the 18th century, the name Searcy was associated with the village of Searcy in Lincolnshire, which likely derived its name from the same Old English roots as the surname itself. This further solidifies the connection between the name and its geographical origins.

John Searcy, born in 1720, was a notable figure in the American colonies. He emigrated from England to Virginia and later fought in the Revolutionary War, serving as a lieutenant in the Continental Army.

During the 19th century, the Searcy surname gained prominence in Arkansas, where a town called Searcy was established in 1837. This town was named after Richard Searcy, an early settler and landowner in the region, born in 1797.

These examples illustrate the rich history and widespread distribution of the surname Searcy, which has been present in various parts of England and beyond for several centuries, with notable individuals bearing the name contributing to different aspects of society throughout history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Searcy

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

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

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

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