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

Sumter, 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 Sumter surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Sumter in America

Sumter is the 16203rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Sumter surname appeared 1,782 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 Sumter.

We can also compare 2010 data for Sumter 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 Sumter

The surname Sumter originates from the Low German word "sumpter," meaning a pack horse or a carrier of provisions. It is believed to have originated in the region of Westphalia, in present-day Germany, during the Middle Ages.

In the 13th century, the name appears in various records and manuscripts as "Sumpterhengst," which translates to "pack horse stallion." This suggests that the early bearers of the name were likely associated with the transportation of goods or supplies.

The earliest recorded instance of the surname Sumter dates back to 1295, when a certain Johannes Sumpterhengst was mentioned in the records of the city of Münster, in Westphalia. Over time, the name evolved into its more modern spelling of "Sumter."

As the name spread across Europe, it underwent various spelling variations, such as "Sumter," "Sumptner," and "Sumpter." These variations were often influenced by regional dialects and the scribes who recorded them.

One notable historical figure bearing the Sumter surname was Thomas Sumter (1734-1832), an American Revolutionary War hero from South Carolina, known as the "Fighting Gamecock." He played a significant role in several battles against the British forces and is credited with disrupting their supply lines through his guerrilla tactics.

Another prominent individual was Archibald Hamilton Sumter (1832-1873), a lawyer and politician from South Carolina who served as a Confederate officer during the American Civil War. He was also a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives and the South Carolina Senate.

In the realm of literature, the name Sumter is associated with Jeremiah Sumter (1780-1854), an American author and editor who published several works, including "The Emigrant's Guide" and "The Vision of Cortes."

William Graham Sumner (1840-1910) was an American sociologist and a pioneer in the field of sociology. He was a professor at Yale University and is known for his contributions to social Darwinism and his critiques of the welfare state.

Lastly, Jethro Sumner (1733-1799) was an American soldier and Revolutionary War veteran from Virginia. He served in various campaigns and battles against the British forces and later settled in Tennessee, where he became a prominent figure in the state's early history.

These examples illustrate the diverse backgrounds and accomplishments of individuals bearing the surname Sumter throughout history, reflecting its rich heritage and evolution across different regions and cultures.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Sumter

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

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

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

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