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

Seye, 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 Seye surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Seye in America

Seye is the 77012th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Seye surname appeared 249 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Seye.

We can also compare 2010 data for Seye 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 Seye

The surname SEYE is of English origin, derived from the Old English word "sæ" meaning "sea" or "ocean." It is believed to have originated in the coastal regions of England, particularly in areas with a strong seafaring tradition, such as the counties of Devon and Cornwall.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name SEYE can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a comprehensive survey of landholdings commissioned by William the Conqueror. The name is listed as "Seie," likely referring to an individual who lived near the sea or was associated with maritime activities.

During the Middle Ages, variations of the name appeared in various historical records, including the Pipe Rolls of Henry II (1154-1189) and the Curia Regis Rolls of Richard I (1189-1199). These documents mention individuals with the surnames "Seye," "Saye," and "Sey," reflecting the phonetic variations and spelling inconsistencies of the time.

One notable bearer of the name SEYE was Sir John Seye, a prominent military commander who served under King Edward III during the Hundred Years' War. Sir John Seye was born in the late 13th century and played a crucial role in the Battle of Crécy in 1346, where the English forces achieved a decisive victory over the French.

Another historical figure with the surname SEYE was William Seye, a successful merchant and landowner who lived in the 15th century. He owned several properties in the county of Devon and was known for his involvement in local affairs and charitable endeavors.

In the 16th century, the name SEYE was associated with a family of influential landowners in the county of Somerset. The Seye family held significant estates and played a prominent role in the local gentry. One notable member was Sir Thomas Seye (1510-1578), who served as a Member of Parliament and was knighted for his services to the crown.

As time passed, the surname SEYE evolved into various spellings, including "Say," "Saye," and "Sey." These variations were often influenced by regional dialects and scribal practices. The name also became associated with certain place names, such as Seyton in Devon, which was likely derived from the surname itself.

Throughout history, the surname SEYE has been carried by individuals from diverse backgrounds, ranging from influential landowners and military leaders to successful merchants and public figures. While the name may have originated in coastal regions, its bearers have left their mark across various parts of England and beyond.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Seye

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

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

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

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