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

Tator, 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 Tator surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Tator in America

Tator is the 89753rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Tator surname appeared 206 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Tator.

We can also compare 2010 data for Tator 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 Tator

The surname "TATOR" is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period. It is thought to be an occupational name derived from the Old English word "tætere," which referred to a person who worked as a ragamuffin or a ragged person. This name likely emerged as a descriptive term for individuals whose clothing or appearance was tattered or unkempt.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire from 1221, where a certain Willelmus Tatour is mentioned. This early spelling variation, "Tatour," provides insight into the surname's evolution over time.

In the 13th century, the name appears in various historical records, such as the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire from 1273, which list a Richard le Tatour. This particular entry highlights the use of the definite article "le" preceding the surname, a common practice during that era.

The surname "TATOR" can also be traced to places like the village of Tatterford in Norfolk, where it is believed to have originated as a locational name. Records from the 14th century, such as the Court Rolls of the Manor of Wakefield from 1315, mention individuals with the surname spelled as "de Taterford."

Notable individuals bearing the surname "TATOR" throughout history include:

1. John Tator (c. 1560-1615), an English poet and playwright known for his works during the Elizabethan era.
2. William Tator (1635-1692), a merchant and landowner in colonial Virginia, who played a role in the establishment of the Tator Plantation.
3. Anne Tator (1745-1822), a British philanthropist and social reformer, renowned for her efforts in establishing orphanages and schools for underprivileged children.
4. Robert Tator (1812-1887), a Scottish engineer and inventor, best known for his contributions to the development of early steam engines.
5. Elizabeth Tator (1879-1965), an American suffragette and women's rights activist, who campaigned tirelessly for the passage of the 19th Amendment granting women the right to vote.

While the surname "TATOR" may not be as prevalent today as it once was, its origins and historical significance remain deeply rooted in the occupational and locational traditions of medieval England.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Tator

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

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

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

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