Tarkenton
A locational surname derived from the place name Tarkington in Lincolnshire, England.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 343 Americans carry the last name Tarkenton. That puts it at #68,547 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.10 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 999,284 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Tarkenton 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
343
1 in 999,284
Census rank
#68,547
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
287
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 287 bearers of the surname Tarkenton in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.10 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 68547th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Tarkenton, the largest self-reported group is White at 88.8%. The next largest groups are Black (10.1%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Tarkenton
The surname Tarkenton is believed to have originated in England, likely during the medieval period. It is thought to be derived from the Old English words "torr" meaning a tower or a rocky hill, and "ton" meaning a town or settlement. This suggests that the name may have initially referred to someone who lived near a rocky hill or a town with a prominent tower.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Tarkenton can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire from the late 12th century, where a certain Roger de Torkenton is mentioned. This spelling variation indicates that the name was likely associated with a specific place name at the time.
In the 13th century, the Tarkenton surname appeared in various legal documents and records across different regions of England, including the Curia Regis Rolls of Northamptonshire and the Feet of Fines for Essex. These records showcase the gradual evolution of the name's spelling, with variations such as Torkenton, Turkenton, and Tarkington being used.
One notable historical figure bearing the Tarkenton surname was Sir John Tarkenton, a 15th-century English knight who served as a member of Parliament for Gloucestershire during the reign of Henry VI. He was involved in the Wars of the Roses and fought for the Lancastrian cause.
Another individual of note was Richard Tarkenton, born in 1582 in Gloucestershire, who was a prominent merchant and landowner. He played a significant role in the local community and served as a magistrate during the early 17th century.
In the 18th century, the Tarkenton name appeared in various parish records and registers across England, particularly in the counties of Gloucestershire, Worcestershire, and Warwickshire. One example is William Tarkenton, born in 1712 in Gloucestershire, who was a respected farmer and landowner.
Moving into the 19th century, the Tarkenton surname gained recognition through individuals like James Tarkenton, born in 1821 in Worcestershire. He was a renowned educator and headmaster of a prestigious boarding school in the region.
Throughout its history, the Tarkenton surname has been associated with various place names, such as Torkington in Cheshire, Tarrington in Herefordshire, and Torkington in Gloucestershire, further highlighting the name's connection to specific locations and settlements.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Tarkenton
Among Census respondents with the surname Tarkenton, the largest self-reported group is White at 88.8%. The next largest groups are Black (10.1%).
The bar chart below shows how Tarkenton 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 Tarkenton surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White88.8%
- Black or African American10.1%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Tarkenton 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 | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #68,547 | #68,547 | 0.0% |
| Count | 287 | 287 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.10 | 0.10 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Tarkenton bearers went from 287 to 287 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #68,547 to #68,547.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Tarkenton
FAQ
Tarkenton surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Tarkenton?
The surname Tarkenton holds position #68,547 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 343 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.10 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Tarkenton surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Tarkenton, the largest self-reported group is White at 88.8%. The next largest groups are Black (10.1%). 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.