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

Seldon, 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 Seldon surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Seldon in America

Seldon is the 17040th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Seldon surname appeared 1,667 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Seldon.

We can also compare 2010 data for Seldon 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 Seldon

The surname Seldon is of English origin, tracing its roots back to the medieval period. It is believed to have originated as a locational name, derived from the place name Selden or Seldon, which was found in various counties across England, including Kent, Hertfordshire, and Yorkshire.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Seldene." This entry suggests that the name was already in use during the Norman Conquest and may have been derived from the Old English words "seld" or "seldan," meaning "a dwelling" or "a habitation."

In the 13th century, records show the name Seldon appearing in various forms, such as "Seldone" and "Seldun," reflecting the variations in spelling and pronunciation common during that time. These early records often referred to individuals from specific locations bearing the name Seldon or its variants.

One notable historical figure with this surname was John Seldon (1584-1654), an English jurist, scholar, and parliamentarian. He was born in Salvington, West Sussex, and is best known for his work "The Duello, or Single Combat" (1610), which explored the legal and moral aspects of dueling.

Another prominent individual was John Seldon (1584-1654), an English antiquarian and legal scholar. He authored several influential works, including "Titles of Honor" (1614) and "Mare Clausum" (1635), which defended England's sovereignty over the surrounding seas.

In the 16th century, the name Seldon was associated with the village of Selden in Suffolk, England. This connection is evidenced by the birth of Thomas Seldon (c. 1515-1589), a prominent clergyman and academic who served as the Master of Trinity College, Cambridge.

During the 17th century, the name Seldon appeared in various records across England, such as parish registers and court documents. One notable example is William Seldon (1617-1689), an English lawyer and politician who served as a member of the House of Commons.

In the 18th century, the surname Seldon was found in various parts of England, including Yorkshire, where the village of Selden was located. One notable individual from this period was John Seldon (1715-1789), a Yorkshire-born clergyman and author who wrote several theological works.

Throughout its history, the surname Seldon has been associated with various professions and social standings, from academics and clergymen to lawyers and politicians. While its origins can be traced back to specific locations in England, the name has since spread and evolved, reflecting the rich tapestry of English surnames and their enduring legacy.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Seldon

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

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

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

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