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

Sturges, 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 Sturges surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Sturges in America

Sturges is the 10782nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Sturges surname appeared 2,958 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 Sturges.

We can also compare 2010 data for Sturges 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 Sturges

The surname STURGES is believed to have originated in England, with roots dating back to the early medieval period. It is thought to be derived from the Old English words "stur" and "gehæg," which collectively translate to "a place enclosed by a sturdy fence or hedge."

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name appears in the Domesday Book of 1086, which mentions a landowner named Radulfus de Sturges in the county of Wiltshire. This suggests that the name was already established in parts of southern England by the late 11th century.

During the Middle Ages, the name was often spelled in various ways, such as Sturges, Sturgis, and Sturgess, reflecting the fluid nature of spelling conventions at the time. The surname was particularly prevalent in the counties of Wiltshire, Dorset, and Somerset, where many early bearers of the name resided.

One notable individual with the surname STURGES was Sir William Sturges (c. 1455-1522), a member of the English gentry and a Member of Parliament for Wiltshire during the reign of Henry VIII. Another prominent figure was John Sturges (1610-1669), an English lawyer and judge who served as Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas.

In the 17th century, the surname STURGES gained further recognition through the exploits of Sir Samuel Sturges (1638-1704), a successful merchant and banker in London. He was instrumental in establishing the Bank of England and served as its first Deputy Governor from 1694 to 1700.

Moving into the 18th century, the name STURGES was associated with the renowned philosopher and abolitionist John Sturges (1724-1807), who advocated for the abolition of the slave trade and the emancipation of enslaved people.

Another notable figure was Sir John Sturges (1764-1846), a British naval officer who played a significant role in the Napoleonic Wars. He was recognized for his bravery and strategic leadership, earning him the prestigious Order of the Bath.

As the name STURGES spread across England and beyond, it continued to be associated with individuals from various walks of life, including academics, artists, and professionals, solidifying its place in the annals of British history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Sturges

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

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

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

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