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

Sessions, 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 Sessions surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Sessions in America

Sessions is the 4671st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Sessions surname appeared 7,593 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 Sessions.

We can also compare 2010 data for Sessions 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 Sessions

The surname Sessions originated in England during the medieval era. It derives from the Old French word "seisuine," which means possession or occupation. The earliest known record of the name dates back to the 13th century in the county of Worcestershire, where it was commonly used as a descriptor for someone who occupied or possessed land or property.

Throughout the Middle Ages, the Sessions name spread to various regions of England, including Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, and Warwickshire. Historical records indicate that the name appeared in a variety of spellings, such as Sessiones, Sessiouns, and Cessyons, reflecting the lack of standardized spelling during that period.

In 1086, the Domesday Book, a comprehensive record of landholdings commissioned by William the Conqueror, mentions a landowner named Radulfus Sessiones in Gloucestershire. This early reference suggests that the name had already gained prominence in the region by the late 11th century.

One of the earliest recorded individuals bearing the Sessions name was Sir John Sessions, a prominent landowner and knight who lived in Gloucestershire during the 14th century. He was known for his role in the Hundred Years' War against France.

Another notable figure was William Sessions, born in 1504 in Oxfordshire. He served as a Member of Parliament for the borough of Marlborough during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I and was involved in the establishment of several charitable foundations in the region.

In the 16th century, the Sessions family had close ties to the village of Beckford in Gloucestershire. The parish records from that era contain numerous references to individuals with the surname, indicating their significant presence in the area.

John Sessions, born in 1670 in Worcestershire, was a renowned clockmaker whose intricate timepieces were highly sought after during his lifetime. His work is still celebrated by horologists and collectors today.

Another notable bearer of the Sessions name was Thomas Sessions, a 17th-century merchant and philanthropist from Bristol. He was instrumental in establishing several schools and charitable institutions in the city, leaving a lasting legacy of education and social welfare.

As the Sessions name spread across England and beyond, it became associated with various occupations and professions, reflecting the diverse backgrounds and contributions of those who bore the surname throughout history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Sessions

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

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

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

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