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

Stansbury, 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 Stansbury surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Stansbury in America

Stansbury is the 6571st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Stansbury surname appeared 5,152 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 2 people would have the surname Stansbury.

We can also compare 2010 data for Stansbury 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 Stansbury

The surname Stansbury is of English origin, with roots tracing back to the medieval era. It derives from the Old English words "stan" meaning stone and "burg" meaning fort or stronghold, suggesting that the name may have originated from a place name referring to a stone fortification or settlement.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name appears in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it is listed as "Stanesburc." This document, commissioned by William the Conqueror, provides a comprehensive survey of landholdings across England, indicating that the name was already established in the region by the late 11th century.

During the 13th century, various spellings of the name emerged, such as "Stanisburi" and "Stanbury." These variations likely reflect local dialects and scribal interpretations of the name's pronunciation. Notably, the name shares similarities with several place names in England, including Stansbury in Kent and Stanbury in Yorkshire.

One of the earliest known individuals bearing the Stansbury surname was Sir John Stansbury, a prominent English knight who lived during the 14th century. He served under Edward III and participated in the Hundred Years' War against France. Another notable figure was William Stansbury, a 15th-century merchant from Bristol, England, who was involved in the lucrative wool trade with the Netherlands.

In the 16th century, the Stansbury family gained prominence in Gloucestershire, with several members holding positions of influence in local government and church affairs. One such individual was Richard Stansbury, who served as the Mayor of Gloucester in 1591.

During the 17th century, the Stansbury name spread across England, with families settling in various regions. Thomas Stansbury, born in 1620, was an early settler in the American colonies, establishing roots in Maryland. His descendants played a role in the development of the region.

Another noteworthy individual was John Stansbury, a 19th-century British explorer and naturalist. Born in 1781, he led several expeditions to the American West and contributed significantly to the study of the region's flora and fauna.

Throughout history, the Stansbury surname has been carried by individuals from diverse backgrounds, including scholars, military leaders, and public servants. While the name's precise origins remain uncertain, its connection to ancient place names and its enduring presence across centuries underscore its deep-rooted English heritage.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Stansbury

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

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

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

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