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

Tolleson, 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 Tolleson surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Tolleson in America

Tolleson is the 15380th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Tolleson surname appeared 1,907 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Tolleson.

We can also compare 2010 data for Tolleson 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 Tolleson

The surname Tolleson originates from England, specifically from the county of Yorkshire, where it first appeared in historical records during the 13th century. The name is derived from the Old English words "tol" meaning "toll" or "payment" and "hus" meaning "house," suggesting that the original bearer may have lived near a toll house or toll bridge.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, where it appears as "Tolhusun." This spelling variation highlights the evolving nature of surnames during that era, as they were often adapted based on local dialects and pronunciations.

In the 14th century, the name was documented in the Yorkshire Poll Tax Returns of 1379, further solidifying its presence in the region. During this time, the surname was also recorded as "Tolhuson" and "Tolhusson," reflecting the influence of regional accents and scribal variations.

It is worth noting that the Tolleson surname was not exclusively associated with Yorkshire. Records from the 16th and 17th centuries indicate that the name had spread to other parts of England, particularly in the counties of Norfolk and Suffolk.

One notable bearer of the Tolleson surname was John Tolleson, a merchant and landowner from Norfolk who lived in the late 16th century. He was known for his successful trade ventures and played a significant role in the local community.

In the 17th century, the name appeared in the parish records of St. Mary's Church in Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk, where a William Tolleson was christened in 1632.

Another individual of historical significance was Thomas Tolleson, a farmer from Yorkshire who lived in the late 17th century. He was instrumental in the development of agricultural practices in his region and was celebrated for his innovative techniques.

As the centuries progressed, the Tolleson surname continued to be associated with various occupations and professions. In the 18th century, a notable figure was Robert Tolleson, a renowned clockmaker from London, whose intricate timepieces were highly sought after by the aristocracy.

During the 19th century, a notable bearer of the Tolleson name was Mary Tolleson, a philanthropist and social reformer from Yorkshire. She dedicated her life to improving the living conditions of impoverished communities and advocating for women's rights.

Throughout its history, the Tolleson surname has undergone various spelling variations, including Tolhuson, Tolhusson, Toleson, and Tollison, among others. These variations reflect the influence of regional dialects, scribal practices, and the evolution of language over time.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Tolleson

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

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

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

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