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

Soc, 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 Soc surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Soc in America

Soc is the 78316th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Soc surname appeared 244 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 Soc.

We can also compare 2010 data for Soc 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 Soc

The surname "SOC" is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period, with its roots tracing back to the Old English word "socc," meaning "a light slipper or shoe." This term may have been used as a nickname for someone who made or wore such footwear, which eventually evolved into a hereditary surname.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Lincolnshire from the late 12th century, where a "Robertus Soc" is listed as a taxpayer. This suggests that the surname was already well-established by that time.

During the 13th century, the name appeared in various forms, such as "Sok," "Sokke," and "Socke," reflecting the regional variations in spelling and pronunciation. The Hundred Rolls of Gloucestershire, a historical record compiled in the 1270s, includes entries for individuals named "Johannes Sok" and "Willelmus Sokke."

In the 14th century, the surname took on a more recognizable form, with instances like "Robert Soc" appearing in the Poll Tax Returns of Yorkshire from 1379. This period also saw the rise of notable figures bearing the name, such as John Soc, a merchant from Bristol who was recorded in the city's customs accounts in the 1380s.

The 15th century brought further examples of the surname, including references to a "Thomas Sok" in the Court Rolls of the Manor of Wakefield in 1435 and a "William Socke" in the Feet of Fines for Essex in 1478.

Over the centuries, the name has been associated with several prominent individuals, including:

1. Sir John Soc (c. 1450-1518), a wealthy landowner and Member of Parliament for Somerset during the reign of Henry VIII.
2. Elizabeth Soc (1567-1631), an English writer and poet known for her religious works.
3. Thomas Soc (1628-1692), a renowned clockmaker from London who crafted timepieces for the Royal Court.
4. Samuel Soc (1745-1823), a British naval officer who served during the American Revolutionary War and the Napoleonic Wars.
5. Margaret Soc (1810-1879), a social reformer and activist for women's rights, who campaigned for education and suffrage.

While the surname has evolved over time, it has retained its connection to its Old English roots, serving as a testament to the rich linguistic history of England and the enduring legacy of occupational surnames.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Soc

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

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

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

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