Slater
An occupational surname referring to someone who splits slate, a fine-grained metamorphic rock, for use in construction.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 37,874 Americans carry the last name Slater. That puts it at #1,075 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 11.05 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 9,050 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Slater 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
38K
1 in 9,050
Census rank
#1,075
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
11.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
33K
uncommon in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 32,584 bearers of the surname Slater in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 11.05 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 1075th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Slater, the largest self-reported group is White at 79.2%. The next largest groups are Black (15.2%) and Hispanic (2.5%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Slater
The surname Slater has its origins in England, emerging in the late 12th century. It is an occupational name derived from the Old English word "slat," which referred to a flat piece of wood or slate used for roofing. Slaters were skilled tradespeople responsible for installing and repairing slate roofs.
The earliest known record of the surname Slater dates back to 1199 in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire. In these ancient tax records, a person named William le Slater is mentioned, indicating the presence of the occupation and surname at that time. The prefix "le" was commonly used in medieval times to denote a person's profession or occupation.
As the name spread across England, various spellings emerged, including Slatter, Sclater, and Sklater. These variations can be found in historical documents and records from different regions. One notable example is the mention of a John Slater in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex in 1296.
The name Slater is also associated with certain place names, such as Slaterfield in Cumbria and Slater's Bridge in Gloucestershire. These locations likely derived their names from individuals bearing the surname Slater who lived or worked in those areas.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the surname Slater:
1. John Slater (c. 1776-1837), an English industrialist and inventor known for his contributions to the textile industry.
2. Samuel Slater (1768-1835), an English-born entrepreneur often referred to as the "Father of the American Industrial Revolution" for his role in establishing the cotton industry in the United States.
3. John Fox Slater (1815-1884), an American philanthropist and industrialist who established the Slater Fund to support education for freedmen and their descendants.
4. Henry Hohn Slater (c. 1766-1845), an English engraver and illustrator known for his work on natural history publications.
5. William Slater (c. 1611-1646), an English soldier and parliamentarian during the English Civil War, known for his involvement in the siege of Gloucester in 1643.
These examples demonstrate the historical significance and prevalence of the surname Slater, which can be traced back to its occupational roots in medieval England.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Slater
Among Census respondents with the surname Slater, the largest self-reported group is White at 79.2%. The next largest groups are Black (15.2%) and Hispanic (2.5%).
The bar chart below shows how Slater 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 Slater surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White79.2%
- Black or African American15.2%
- Hispanic or Latino2.5%
- Two or more races1.7%
- American Indian and Alaska Native0.8%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.6%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Slater 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 | #1,075 | #1,075 | 0.0% |
| Count | 32,584 | 32,584 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 11.05 | 11.05 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Slater bearers went from 32,584 to 32,584 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #1,075 to #1,075.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Slater
FAQ
Slater surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Slater?
The surname Slater holds position #1,075 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 37,874 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 11.05 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Slater surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Slater, the largest self-reported group is White at 79.2%. The next largest groups are Black (15.2%) and Hispanic (2.5%). 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.