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

Talley, 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 Talley surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Talley in America

Talley is the 1170th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Talley surname appeared 30,014 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 10 people would have the surname Talley.

We can also compare 2010 data for Talley 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 Talley

The surname Talley is of Anglo-Norman origin, derived from the Old French name "Taillé" or "Tailley," meaning "cut" or "pruned." It is believed to have originated in England during the Norman Conquest in the 11th century.

The name may have been initially given to individuals who were employed as woodcutters or foresters, responsible for managing and maintaining woodlands. Alternatively, it could have referred to a person with a slender or trim physique.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name appears in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it is spelled "Tailleur." This document, commissioned by William the Conqueror, recorded landowners and their properties throughout England.

Another early reference to the name can be found in the Poll Tax Returns of Yorkshire in 1379, where it is listed as "Taylyor." This spelling variation highlights the fluidity of surnames during that period.

Notable individuals with the surname Talley include Sir John Talley (1389-1459), an English soldier and Member of Parliament during the Wars of the Roses. He served under King Henry VI and was knighted for his military service.

In the 16th century, William Talley (1518-1592) was a prominent English merchant and alderman of the City of London. He was known for his philanthropic efforts and contributed to the construction of hospitals and almshouses.

During the American Revolutionary War, Matthew Talley (1744-1825) fought as a captain in the Continental Army under General George Washington. After the war, he became a successful farmer and landowner in Virginia.

In the realm of literature, Susan Talley (1835-1898) was an American author and poet, known for her works exploring themes of nature and spirituality. Her collection of poems, "Songs of the Sierras," gained widespread acclaim.

More recently, Beatrice Talley (1919-2003) was an American journalist and civil rights activist. She worked tirelessly to promote racial equality and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1999 for her contributions.

The surname Talley has a rich history spanning centuries, with its origins rooted in the Anglo-Norman period. From soldiers and merchants to authors and activists, individuals bearing this name have left their mark across various fields throughout history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Talley

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

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

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

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