Stinnett
A habitational surname derived from places in Lancashire and West Yorkshire, England, likely referring to a stony gate or path.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 9,460 Americans carry the last name Stinnett. That puts it at #4,363 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 2.76 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 36,232 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Stinnett 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
9.5K
1 in 36,232
Census rank
#4,363
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
2.8
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
8.1K
rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 8,142 bearers of the surname Stinnett in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 2.76 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 4363rd position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Stinnett, the largest self-reported group is White at 88.7%. The next largest groups are Black (6.2%) and Two or More Races (2.0%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Stinnett
The surname Stinnett has its origins in England, emerging during the medieval period. It is believed to be a locational name, derived from a place name referring to a stony or rocky area. The earliest known spelling variations include Stinett, Stynett, and Stynate, suggesting a connection to Old English words like "stan" (stone) or "stony."
One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name can be found in the Feet of Fines for Essex in 1285, where a William Stynate is referenced. This medieval legal document suggests the name's presence in the region during that era. Additionally, the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex from 1327 list a John Stynett, providing further evidence of the name's use in the 14th century.
During the 16th century, the Stinnett surname appeared in various parish records across England. In 1584, the christening of John Stynett was recorded in Patcham, Sussex. Similarly, the marriage of Alice Stinnett and Thomas Colman was documented in Westmeston, Sussex, in 1597. These entries highlight the name's continued presence in the region.
One notable bearer of the Stinnett surname was Thomas Stinnett (1617-1678), an English clergyman and theological writer. He served as the Rector of Aldbourne in Wiltshire and authored several works, including "The Doctrine of the Trinity" and "A Discourse on the Grounds of the Christian Religion."
Another prominent individual with this surname was William Stinnett (1779-1854), an American Baptist minister and educator. He was born in Virginia and later became the president of Georgetown College in Kentucky. Stinnett played a significant role in the establishment of Baptist educational institutions in the United States.
In the 19th century, the Stinnett family had a notable presence in Tennessee. John Stinnett (1815-1901) was a farmer and landowner from Hawkins County, Tennessee. His son, Samuel Houston Stinnett (1844-1919), served as a member of the Tennessee House of Representatives and was involved in local politics.
While the Stinnett surname has its roots in England, it has since spread to other parts of the world, particularly through migration and settlement in the United States. However, its origins can be traced back to the medieval period, with early recordings in various historical documents and parish records across England.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Stinnett
Among Census respondents with the surname Stinnett, the largest self-reported group is White at 88.7%. The next largest groups are Black (6.2%) and Two or More Races (2.0%).
The bar chart below shows how Stinnett 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 Stinnett surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White88.7%
- Black or African American6.2%
- Two or more races2.0%
- Hispanic or Latino1.9%
- American Indian and Alaska Native0.7%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.5%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Stinnett 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 | #4,093 | #4,363 | -6.6% |
| Count | 8,007 | 8,142 | 1.7% |
| Per 100K | 2.97 | 2.76 | -7.1% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Stinnett bearers went from 8,007 to 8,142 (+1.7% change). The surname moved down 270 positions in the national ranking, going from #4,093 to #4,363.
FAQ
Stinnett surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Stinnett?
The surname Stinnett holds position #4,363 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 9,460 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 2.76 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Stinnett surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Stinnett, the largest self-reported group is White at 88.7%. The next largest groups are Black (6.2%) and Two or More Races (2.0%). 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.