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

Self, 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 Self surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Self in America

Self is the 1520th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Self surname appeared 23,595 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 8 people would have the surname Self.

We can also compare 2010 data for Self 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 Self

The surname SELF is believed to have originated in England, with the earliest recorded instances dating back to the 13th century. It is thought to have derived from the Old English word "self," which means "oneself" or "the same."

One of the earliest known references to the surname SELF can be found in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, a census-like record of landholders in England at the time. This document includes entries for individuals with the surname SELF in various counties, such as Oxfordshire and Berkshire.

During the medieval period, surnames were often derived from personal characteristics, occupations, or locations. The surname SELF may have been used to distinguish someone who was particularly self-reliant or independent. Alternatively, it could have been a descriptive name for someone who was particularly self-centered or egotistical.

In the 16th century, the SELF surname appeared in various records, including parish registers and tax rolls. One notable individual from this period was John SELF, a merchant from Bristol who lived from around 1520 to 1585.

As the centuries progressed, the SELF surname spread to different regions of England, and various spelling variations emerged, such as SELFE and SILFE. In the 17th century, records show SELFs residing in counties like Norfolk, Suffolk, and Lincolnshire.

One prominent figure with the SELF surname was Sir John SELF (1647-1723), a lawyer and Member of Parliament for Grantham in Lincolnshire. Another notable individual was William SELF (1758-1808), a British naval officer who served during the American Revolutionary War and the Napoleonic Wars.

In the 19th century, the SELF surname continued to be well-represented in various parts of England. One notable individual from this period was Henry SELF (1839-1911), a businessman and philanthropist from Yorkshire who made significant contributions to the city of Bradford.

As the British Empire expanded, the SELF surname also found its way to other parts of the world, including North America, Australia, and various colonies. Some notable individuals with this surname include Robert SELF (1860-1942), an American businessman and founder of the Greenville Textile Supply Company, and Walter SELF (1898-1988), an Australian politician who served as a member of the Australian Senate.

Throughout history, the SELF surname has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including academics, artists, politicians, and military personnel. While the origins of the name may be somewhat obscure, its enduring presence across centuries and continents serves as a testament to its historical significance.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Self

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

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

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

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