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

Troy, 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 Troy surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Troy in America

Troy is the 4383rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Troy surname appeared 8,109 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 3 people would have the surname Troy.

We can also compare 2010 data for Troy 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 Troy

The surname Troy has its roots in England and France, originating in the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Old French word "troie," which means a hamlet or small village. This name may have been given to someone who lived in a small settlement or hamlet.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a survey of land ownership in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. The name was spelled as "Troye" in this historical document.

During the 13th century, the name Troy was also associated with the city of Troy in ancient Greece, as depicted in Homer's Iliad. This connection may have added a sense of nobility and heroism to the surname.

In the 14th century, the surname Troy appeared in several English records, including the Hundred Rolls of 1273, where it was spelled as "Troye." This spelling variation highlights the evolution of the name over time.

One notable individual with the surname Troy was Sir John Troy, a Welsh soldier and military leader who lived in the late 14th century. He played a significant role in the Hundred Years' War and was knighted for his bravery on the battlefield.

Another prominent figure was Sir Robert Troy, an English politician and Member of Parliament who lived in the 16th century. He served as a Member of Parliament for Wigan during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.

In the 17th century, the surname Troy was associated with several place names in England, such as Troy Town in Monmouthshire and Troy Farm in Wiltshire. These place names likely derived from the surname itself or vice versa.

During the 18th century, the name Troy gained prominence in Ireland. One notable Irish figure was John Troy, an Archbishop of Dublin who lived from 1739 to 1823. He played a significant role in the Catholic Church in Ireland during a period of religious tensions.

Another Irish individual with the surname Troy was Robert Troy, a politician and Member of Parliament who lived in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. He represented the constituency of St. Johnstown in the Irish House of Commons.

As the centuries passed, the surname Troy continued to spread to different parts of the world, carried by individuals who emigrated from England, France, and Ireland. While its origins can be traced back to the Middle Ages, the name has endured and continues to hold a rich historical legacy.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Troy

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

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

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

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