Taylor
An occupational surname referring to a tailor, one who makes, mends, or alters clothing.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 872,892 Americans carry the last name Taylor. That puts it at #17 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 254.67 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 393 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Taylor 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
873K
1 in 393
Census rank
#17
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
254.7
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
751K
very common in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 751,209 bearers of the surname Taylor in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 254.67 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 17th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Taylor, the largest self-reported group is White at 65.4%. The next largest groups are Black (28.4%) and Hispanic (2.5%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Taylor
The surname Taylor originated in England and dates back to the medieval period. It is an occupational name derived from the Old French word "tailleur," meaning "tailor" or "cutter." The name was initially given to those who worked as tailors, dressmakers, or cloth cutters.
The earliest known record of the Taylor surname can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Tallior." This document, commissioned by William the Conqueror, served as a survey of landowners and their properties in England.
In the 12th century, the surname appeared in various forms, including Taylour, Taillour, and Taillur. These variations reflect the different spellings used during that time period. The name was also closely associated with specific locations, such as Taylor's Green in Essex and Taylor's Hill in Gloucestershire.
One of the earliest recorded individuals with the Taylor surname was William le Taylur, who was mentioned in the Assize Rolls of Staffordshire in 1275. Another notable figure was John Taylor, a prominent English theologian and reformer who lived from 1480 to 1554 and was known as the "Apostle of Repentance."
In the 16th century, the Taylor surname gained further prominence with the rise of the cloth trade in England. Individuals like John Taylor (1555-1616), a renowned English poet and writer, and Thomas Taylor (1576-1633), an English clergyman and translator, carried the name during this period.
The 17th century saw the emergence of several notable Taylors, including Jeremy Taylor (1613-1667), an English clergyman and writer who served as the Bishop of Down and Connor, and John Taylor (1580-1653), a celebrated English poet and satirist known as the "Water Poet."
In the 18th century, the Taylor surname continued to be associated with various professions and fields. Edward Taylor (1642-1729) was an American poet and Puritan minister, while John Taylor (1703-1772) was an English classical scholar and prominent figure in the early days of British nonconformity.
Throughout history, the Taylor surname has been carried by numerous individuals from diverse backgrounds, reflecting its enduring presence and significance across various regions and cultures.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Taylor
Among Census respondents with the surname Taylor, the largest self-reported group is White at 65.4%. The next largest groups are Black (28.4%) and Hispanic (2.5%).
The bar chart below shows how Taylor 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 Taylor surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White65.4%
- Black or African American28.4%
- Hispanic or Latino2.5%
- Two or more races2.4%
- American Indian and Alaska Native0.8%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.6%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Taylor 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 | #17 | #17 | 0.0% |
| Count | 751,209 | 751,209 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 254.67 | 254.67 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Taylor bearers went from 751,209 to 751,209 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #17 to #17.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Taylor
FAQ
Taylor surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Taylor?
The surname Taylor holds position #17 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 872,892 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 254.67 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Taylor surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Taylor, the largest self-reported group is White at 65.4%. The next largest groups are Black (28.4%) and Hispanic (2.5%). 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.