Starrett
An English occupational surname for a maker or seller of stirrups, spurs, and other horse equipment.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 3,839 Americans carry the last name Starrett. That puts it at #9,833 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 1.12 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 89,282 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Starrett 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
3.8K
1 in 89,282
Census rank
#9,833
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
1.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
3.3K
rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 3,293 bearers of the surname Starrett in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 1.12 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 9833rd position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Starrett, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.3%. The next largest groups are Two or More Races (2.2%) and Hispanic (1.9%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Starrett
The surname Starrett has its origins in England, dating back to the 12th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "stærræt," which translates to "starling" or a small bird. The name likely originated as a nickname for someone who shared characteristics with the starling bird, such as being small, agile, or noisy.
In the early days, the name appeared in various spellings, including Staret, Starett, and Starret, reflecting the regional dialects and inconsistencies in record-keeping during that era. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Lincolnshire from 1176, where it is mentioned as "William Staret."
The Starrett surname has its roots in the county of Lincolnshire, particularly in the village of Stamford. This area was known for its thriving textile industry, and it is possible that some early bearers of the name were associated with the trade or production of starling-colored fabrics.
In the 13th century, the name appeared in records related to land ownership and taxation. For instance, the Hundred Rolls of 1273 mention a "Roger Staret" from the county of Bedfordshire, indicating the spread of the name across various regions of England.
Over the centuries, several notable individuals have borne the Starrett surname. One prominent figure was John Starrett (1720-1788), an American soldier who fought in the French and Indian War and later served as a captain during the American Revolutionary War. Another notable bearer of the name was William Starrett (1809-1888), a Scottish-born industrialist who founded the Starrett Tool Company in the United States, which became renowned for its precision tools and measuring instruments.
Other historical figures with the Starrett surname include:
1. Thomas Starrett (1656-1718), an English merchant and politician who served as Mayor of Bristol in 1707.
2. Mary Starrett (1790-1873), an American writer and poet known for her contributions to early feminist literature.
3. John Starrett (1825-1909), a British architect who designed several notable buildings in London, including the Old Vic Theatre.
4. William Starrett (1877-1963), an American architect and engineer who designed numerous skyscrapers in New York City, including the Empire State Building.
5. Helen Starrett (1899-1975), an American educator and advocate for early childhood education, who served as the President of the National Association for Nursery Education.
While the Starrett surname has its roots in England, it has since spread to various parts of the world, particularly due to migration and the English diaspora. However, its origins can be traced back to the Old English language and the county of Lincolnshire, where it first emerged as a nickname for those associated with the starling bird or related occupations.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Starrett
Among Census respondents with the surname Starrett, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.3%. The next largest groups are Two or More Races (2.2%) and Hispanic (1.9%).
The bar chart below shows how Starrett 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 Starrett surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White94.3%
- Two or more races2.2%
- Hispanic or Latino1.9%
- American Indian and Alaska Native0.7%
- Black or African American0.5%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.4%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Starrett 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 | #9,729 | #9,833 | -1.1% |
| Count | 3,066 | 3,293 | 7.4% |
| Per 100K | 1.14 | 1.12 | -1.8% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Starrett bearers went from 3,066 to 3,293 (+7.4% change). The surname moved down 104 positions in the national ranking, going from #9,729 to #9,833.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Starrett
FAQ
Starrett surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Starrett?
The surname Starrett holds position #9,833 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 3,839 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 1.12 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Starrett surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Starrett, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.3%. The next largest groups are Two or More Races (2.2%) and Hispanic (1.9%). 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.