Thaw
A surname derived from the Old English word "þawian," meaning to thaw or melt.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 754 Americans carry the last name Thaw. That puts it at #35,294 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.22 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 454,581 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Thaw 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
754
1 in 454,581
Census rank
#35,294
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.2
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
638
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 638 bearers of the surname Thaw in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.22 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 35294th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Thaw, the largest self-reported group is White at 44.7%. The next largest groups are Asian/Pacific Islander (42.8%) and Black (7.2%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Thaw
The surname THAW is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period. It is likely derived from the Old English word "þawian," which means "to thaw" or "to melt." This suggests that the name may have originally referred to someone who lived near a thawing river or stream.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name THAW can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire, dating back to 1273. This ancient document mentions a person named Roger Thawe, indicating the presence of the surname in the 13th century.
In the 14th century, the name THAW appeared in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire, where a certain Walter Thawe was listed as a taxpayer. This record provides further evidence of the name's existence during the Middle Ages.
The THAW surname may also be linked to various place names in England, such as Thawfield in Lincolnshire or Thawe in Cheshire. These place names could have influenced the spelling variations of the surname over time.
One notable individual from history who bore the surname THAW was John Thaw (1942-2002), a renowned English actor best known for his roles in popular television series like "Inspector Morse" and "The Sweeney."
Another significant figure was Sir William Muir Thaw (1834-1917), a Scottish-American industrialist and philanthropist who made his fortune in the coal and coke industry in Pennsylvania. He was also a prominent art collector and patron of the arts.
In the literary world, the American novelist and short story writer Jack Thaw (1924-2002) gained recognition for his works, including the novel "The Green Light" and the short story collection "Staying Up Much Too Late."
The English cricketer and footballer Arthur Thaw (1871-1949) also carried the THAW surname. He played first-class cricket for Yorkshire County Cricket Club and represented England in a single Test match against Australia in 1899.
Lastly, Sir William Thaw (1819-1889) was a Scottish merchant and politician who served as a Member of Parliament for the constituencies of Falkirk Burghs and Falkirk District between 1865 and 1885.
While the THAW surname may not be as common as some others, it has a rich history dating back to medieval England and has been carried by notable individuals across various fields throughout the centuries.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Thaw
Among Census respondents with the surname Thaw, the largest self-reported group is White at 44.7%. The next largest groups are Asian/Pacific Islander (42.8%) and Black (7.2%).
The bar chart below shows how Thaw 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 Thaw surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White44.7%
- Asian and Pacific Islander42.8%
- Black or African American7.2%
- Hispanic or Latino3.9%
- Two or more races1.4%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Thaw 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 | #35,294 | #35,294 | 0.0% |
| Count | 638 | 638 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.22 | 0.22 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Thaw bearers went from 638 to 638 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #35,294 to #35,294.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Thaw
FAQ
Thaw surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Thaw?
The surname Thaw holds position #35,294 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 754 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.22 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Thaw surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Thaw, the largest self-reported group is White at 44.7%. The next largest groups are Asian/Pacific Islander (42.8%) and Black (7.2%). 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.