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

Thorns, 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 Thorns surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Thorns in America

Thorns is the 48901st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Thorns surname appeared 431 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 Thorns.

We can also compare 2010 data for Thorns 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 Thorns

The surname Thorns has its origins in England, dating back to the 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word 'thorn', referring to the prickly shrubs or bushes that grew abundantly in certain regions. This suggests that the name likely originated as a descriptive surname, possibly referring to someone who lived near or worked with thorny bushes or even had a prickly personality.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Thorns can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Lancashire in 1292, where a certain Adam de Thornes is mentioned. The 'de' prefix indicates that the surname was originally a locational name, referring to a place called Thornes, which could have been a small hamlet or a specific area known for its thorny vegetation.

In the 14th century, the surname appears in various records with slight spelling variations, such as Thorns, Thornys, and Thornez. This was common during that era, as standardized spellings were not yet established. One notable reference is the Hundred Rolls of Bedfordshire from 1346, which mentions a John de Thornys.

As time passed, the name Thorns became more widespread and was found in various regions of England. In the 16th century, a notable figure bearing this surname was William Thorns, a renowned scholar and theologian who lived between 1535 and 1608. He was widely respected for his contributions to the study of ancient manuscripts and his expertise in Greek and Latin.

Another historical figure with the surname Thorns was Sir John Thorns, a prominent merchant and alderman in the city of London during the 17th century. He was born in 1620 and played a significant role in the city's trade and commerce, leaving a lasting impact on the local community.

In the 18th century, the name Thorns gained recognition through the work of William James Thorns, a British antiquarian and writer who lived from 1765 to 1849. He was a prolific collector of ancient manuscripts and folklore, and his contributions to the preservation of cultural heritage were widely acknowledged.

Moving into the 19th century, one cannot overlook the accomplishments of Sir William John Thorns, a distinguished British civil servant and administrator who served as the Governor of Madras Presidency in India from 1858 to 1860. He was born in 1805 and his tenure in India was marked by significant reforms and contributions to the development of the region.

Throughout its history, the surname Thorns has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, from scholars and merchants to civil servants and administrators. While its origins may have been humble, referring to the thorny bushes of England's countryside, the name has gained a rich tapestry of meanings and associations over the centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Thorns

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

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

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

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