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

Test, 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 Test surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Test in America

Test is the 22838th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Test surname appeared 1,121 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 Test.

We can also compare 2010 data for Test 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 Test

The surname "TEST" is believed to have originated in England during the Middle Ages, likely derived from the Old English word "tæst," which means "trial" or "examination." This surname was likely first given as a descriptive name to someone who was known for their ability to test or examine things, perhaps in a professional capacity such as a craftsman or tradesman.

The earliest recorded instances of the surname "TEST" can be traced back to the late 12th century in various historical records and documents from the counties of Essex and Suffolk in eastern England. Some of the earliest spellings of the name include "Teste," "Testi," and "Testy."

One of the earliest known references to the name can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Hertfordshire from the year 1195, which mentions a "William Teste" who was likely a landowner or taxpayer in the region at that time.

In the 13th century, the surname "TEST" began to appear in various manorial records and court rolls, indicating that individuals with this name held positions of some prominence within their local communities. For example, a "John Teste" is mentioned in the Assize Rolls of Cambridgeshire from 1260, suggesting he may have been involved in legal or judicial proceedings.

During the 14th and 15th centuries, the surname "TEST" became more widespread throughout England, with several individuals bearing this name being recorded in various historical documents. One notable figure was Sir William Test (c. 1380-1458), a wealthy merchant and alderman who served as the Lord Mayor of London in 1446.

In the 16th century, the surname "TEST" continued to be found in various parts of England, with some variations in spelling appearing, such as "Teast" and "Teaste." One prominent individual from this time was John Test (c. 1520-1590), a composer and organist who served at the Chapel Royal during the reigns of Edward VI, Mary I, and Elizabeth I.

Over the centuries, the surname "TEST" has been carried by numerous individuals from various walks of life, including scholars, artists, and military leaders. One notable figure was Sir John Test (1786-1857), a British naval officer who served during the Napoleonic Wars and later became a Member of Parliament.

While the surname "TEST" is not among the most common surnames in England today, it has a rich and diverse history that spans several centuries and reflects the country's cultural and linguistic heritage.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Test

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

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

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

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