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

Summers, 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 Summers surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Summers in America

Summers is the 591st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Summers surname appeared 56,953 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 19 people would have the surname Summers.

We can also compare 2010 data for Summers 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 Summers

The surname Summers has its origins in England, where it emerged as an occupational name during the medieval period, typically referring to someone who worked during the summer season. The name is derived from the Old English word "sumor," meaning summer.

The earliest recorded instance of the surname Summers can be traced back to the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273, where a William le Sumer is mentioned in Oxfordshire. This document, compiled during the reign of King Edward I, provides valuable insight into the distribution of surnames across various counties in England.

In the 14th century, the surname appears in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire, where a John Sumer is listed. This record, dating back to 1327, further solidifies the presence of the name in different regions of England.

The Summers surname is also found in the renowned Domesday Book, compiled in 1086 under the orders of William the Conqueror. This invaluable historical document contains references to various place names, including Sumerleyton in Suffolk, which may have influenced the development of the surname.

One notable individual bearing the Summers surname was Sir George Summers (c. 1554-1610), an English naval officer and colonist who played a significant role in the early colonization efforts in Virginia. He was part of the expedition that established the Jamestown colony in 1607.

Another prominent figure was Sir James Summers (1828-1891), a British diplomat and colonial administrator who served as the Governor of the Gambia from 1876 to 1881.

Montague Summers (1880-1948), an English author and clergyman, is known for his works on occult and supernatural themes, including his seminal book "The Vampire: His Kith and Kin" published in 1928.

In the literary realm, Dorothy Summers (1913-2000) was a British novelist and children's writer, renowned for her works such as "The Unloved" and "The Turret Room."

Lastly, the American artist Diane Summers (1925-2020) gained recognition for her vibrant abstract expressionist paintings, which explored themes of nature and the human experience.

Throughout its history, the Summers surname has undergone various spelling variations, including Somer, Sommer, and Somers, reflecting regional differences and language evolution.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Summers

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

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

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

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