Selleck
A locational surname derived from a place name meaning "ploughland in a nook or corner".
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 1,988 Americans carry the last name Selleck. That puts it at #16,809 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.58 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 172,412 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Selleck 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
2.0K
1 in 172,412
Census rank
#16,809
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.6
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
1.7K
rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 1,698 bearers of the surname Selleck in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.58 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 16809th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Selleck, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.1%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (3.4%) and Two or More Races (1.5%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Selleck
The surname Selleck originated in England, with its earliest roots traced back to the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Old English words "sael" (hall) and "wic" (dwelling), suggesting it may have initially referred to someone who lived in a hall or manor house.
One of the earliest known references to the name Selleck can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it is recorded as "Salewic" in Suffolk. This suggests the name was already in use in England by the late 11th century.
During the 13th century, the surname began appearing in various spellings, such as Sellock, Sellok, and Selloke, reflecting the regional variations in pronunciation and spelling at the time. Some records from this period indicate the name may have been associated with certain locations, such as Sellack in Herefordshire or Selworthy in Somerset.
In the 14th century, the name Selleck gained prominence with the birth of John Selleck (c. 1330-1400), a prominent landowner and knight who served under King Edward III during the Hundred Years' War. His descendants continued to hold significant estates in various parts of England over the following centuries.
Another notable figure was Sir William Selleck (1590-1657), a member of the English gentry and a staunch Royalist during the English Civil War. He was knighted by King Charles I in 1641 for his loyal service.
In the 18th century, the Reverend Nathaniel Selleck (1714-1785) was a respected clergyman and author, known for his religious writings and sermons published during his lifetime.
The 19th century saw the birth of James Selleck (1827-1899), a prominent businessman and entrepreneur who made his fortune in the textile industry in Lancashire, England.
Across the Atlantic, the name also has a history in the United States, with records showing Sellecks settling in New England as early as the 17th century. One of the earliest known was David Selleck (1648-1717), a farmer and landowner in Stamford, Connecticut.
Throughout its long history, the surname Selleck has maintained a strong presence in various parts of the English-speaking world, with notable individuals continuing to carry on the legacy of this ancient name.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Selleck
Among Census respondents with the surname Selleck, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.1%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (3.4%) and Two or More Races (1.5%).
The bar chart below shows how Selleck 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 Selleck surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White94.1%
- Hispanic or Latino3.4%
- Two or more races1.5%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.7%
- Black or African American0.3%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Selleck 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 | #16,809 | #16,809 | 0.0% |
| Count | 1,698 | 1,698 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.58 | 0.58 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Selleck bearers went from 1,698 to 1,698 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #16,809 to #16,809.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Selleck
FAQ
Selleck surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Selleck?
The surname Selleck holds position #16,809 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 1,988 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.58 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Selleck surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Selleck, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.1%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (3.4%) and Two or More Races (1.5%). 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.