Spivey
Derived from a Middle English nickname for a person with an unkempt or untidy appearance.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 24,575 Americans carry the last name Spivey. That puts it at #1,702 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 7.17 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 13,947 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Spivey 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
25K
1 in 13,947
Census rank
#1,702
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
7.2
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
21K
uncommon in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 21,161 bearers of the surname Spivey in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 7.17 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 1702nd position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Spivey, the largest self-reported group is White at 67.9%. The next largest groups are Black (27.2%) and Two or More Races (2.1%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Spivey
The surname Spivey originates from England and dates back to the early medieval period. It is believed to be derived from the Old English word "spiwi," which means a small bird or sparrow. The name may have initially been a descriptive nickname given to someone who was small or had a bird-like appearance.
In the Domesday Book of 1086, a survey of lands and properties commissioned by William the Conqueror, there are records of individuals with the name Spivey or similar spellings such as Spyveye and Spyvie. These early records suggest the name was present in various parts of England, particularly in the counties of Gloucestershire and Somerset.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name is found in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire from 1198, where a Robert Spivey is mentioned. Another notable early reference is in the Assize Rolls of Somerset from 1243, which mention a William Spyvie.
The name Spivey is also associated with certain place names in England. For example, the village of Spivey in Somerset may have derived its name from individuals bearing the surname Spivey who lived in the area.
Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals with the surname Spivey:
1. Sir Thomas Spivey (born around 1480, died 1545) was an English politician and Member of Parliament for Bristol during the reign of Henry VIII.
2. John Spivey (born around 1620, died 1679) was an English sailor and explorer who participated in several voyages to the West Indies and the Caribbean.
3. Elizabeth Spivey (born around 1730, died 1807) was an English author and poet known for her work "The Poetic Garland," published in 1776.
4. William Spivey (born 1795, died 1862) was a British architect who designed several notable buildings in London, including St. Pancras Church.
5. Henry Spivey (born 1828, died 1904) was an American lawyer and politician who served as a judge in Georgia and was involved in the Civil War as a Confederate soldier.
While the surname Spivey has its roots in England, it has since spread to other parts of the world, particularly through migration and colonization. However, its origins can be traced back to the medieval period and the Old English language, reflecting the rich history and evolution of surnames in England.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Spivey
Among Census respondents with the surname Spivey, the largest self-reported group is White at 67.9%. The next largest groups are Black (27.2%) and Two or More Races (2.1%).
The bar chart below shows how Spivey 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 Spivey surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White67.9%
- Black or African American27.2%
- Two or more races2.1%
- Hispanic or Latino1.9%
- American Indian and Alaska Native0.5%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.4%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Spivey 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 | 2000 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #1,615 | #1,702 | -5.4% |
| Count | 20,349 | 21,161 | 4.0% |
| Per 100K | 7.54 | 7.17 | -4.9% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Spivey bearers went from 20,349 to 21,161 (+4.0% change). The surname moved down 87 positions in the national ranking, going from #1,615 to #1,702.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Spivey
FAQ
Spivey surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Spivey?
The surname Spivey holds position #1,702 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 24,575 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 7.17 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Spivey surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Spivey, the largest self-reported group is White at 67.9%. The next largest groups are Black (27.2%) and Two or More Races (2.1%). 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.