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

States, 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 States surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of States in America

States is the 10993rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The States surname appeared 2,893 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname States.

We can also compare 2010 data for States 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 States

The surname "States" is believed to have originated from England, with its roots dating back to the medieval period. This name is thought to be derived from the Old English word "stath," which referred to a landing place or a river bank. Alternatively, it could also be linked to the Old English word "stede," meaning a place or a site.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the surname "States" can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of landholdings in England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. This suggests that the name was already established in various regions of the country by the late 11th century.

During the 13th century, the surname "States" appeared in various forms, such as "Stathes" and "Stathys," reflecting the regional variations in pronunciation and spelling. These earlier spellings often referred to individuals who resided near a river or a landing place, highlighting the name's connection to geographical locations.

In the 14th century, records indicate the presence of a family named "States" in the county of Yorkshire. One notable member was John States, who was born in 1324 and served as a prominent landowner and local official in the region.

As the centuries progressed, the surname "States" spread to other parts of England, with records showing individuals bearing this name in counties like Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, and Derbyshire. In the 16th century, a prominent figure named William States (1542-1619) gained recognition as a renowned scholar and theologian at the University of Cambridge.

In the 17th century, the surname "States" was also found in various parts of Scotland, suggesting that some individuals with this name may have migrated or had ancestral ties to that region. One notable Scotsman was Robert States (1638-1702), a respected merchant and landowner in the city of Edinburgh.

As the British Empire expanded, individuals with the surname "States" were among those who ventured to other parts of the world, carrying their name to various colonies and settlements. In the 18th century, records show a family named States residing in the British colony of Virginia, where they played a significant role in local affairs and commerce.

Throughout history, the surname "States" has been associated with various occupations and professions, including landowners, merchants, scholars, and clergymen. While the name may have originated from geographical references, it has since taken on a broader meaning and has been carried by individuals from diverse backgrounds and regions.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name States

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

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

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

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