Trumbull
From a place name derived from the Old English words meaning "strongly flowing stream."
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 2,673 Americans carry the last name Trumbull. That puts it at #13,322 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.78 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 128,228 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Trumbull 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
2.7K
1 in 128,228
Census rank
#13,322
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.8
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
2.3K
rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 2,290 bearers of the surname Trumbull in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.78 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 13322nd position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Trumbull, the largest self-reported group is White at 92.9%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.7%) and Two or More Races (2.2%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Trumbull
The surname Trumbull originated in England, with the earliest recorded instances dating back to the 13th century. It is derived from the Old English word "trumbehyll," which translates to "trumpet hill" or "hill where trumpets were sounded." This suggests that the name may have originated from a place name or a topographical feature associated with trumpet sounds.
The earliest known record of the name Trumbull appears in the Rotuli Hundredorum, a census-like survey of England conducted in 1273. This document mentions a Walter de Trumbille, indicating that the name was already in use during that time period.
In the 14th century, the name Trumbull appeared in various forms, such as Trumbyll, Trumbull, and Trumbull. These variations were likely due to regional dialects and the inconsistent spelling practices of the time.
One notable figure bearing the Trumbull surname was Sir William Trumbull (1639-1716), a prominent English statesman and diplomat who served as the Secretary of State for the Northern Department under King William III. He played a significant role in negotiating the Treaty of Rijswijk, which ended the Nine Years' War between France and the Grand Alliance.
Another historical figure was John Trumbull (1756-1843), an American artist and painter from Connecticut. He is renowned for his revolutionary war paintings, including the famous "Declaration of Independence" and "Surrender of Lord Cornwallis." His works are considered invaluable records of the events surrounding the American Revolution.
In the 19th century, Lyman Trumbull (1813-1896) was a prominent American politician and jurist from Illinois. He served as a U.S. Senator and played a crucial role in drafting the Thirteenth Amendment, which abolished slavery. Trumbull County in Ohio is named after him.
Benjamin Trumbull (1735-1820) was an American historian and theologian from Connecticut. He served as the president of Yale University from 1795 to 1801 and wrote several influential works on the history of Connecticut and the United States.
John Trumbull (1750-1831), not to be confused with the artist of the same name, was a poet and jurist from Connecticut. He is best known for his satirical works, including the poem "McFingal," which mocked the Loyalists during the American Revolution.
It's worth noting that while the Trumbull surname has its roots in England, it has since spread to various parts of the world, including the United States, Canada, and Australia, due to migration and the expansion of the British Empire.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Trumbull
Among Census respondents with the surname Trumbull, the largest self-reported group is White at 92.9%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.7%) and Two or More Races (2.2%).
The bar chart below shows how Trumbull 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 Trumbull surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White92.9%
- Hispanic or Latino2.7%
- Two or more races2.2%
- Black or African American0.9%
- American Indian and Alaska Native0.7%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.6%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Trumbull 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 | #13,322 | #13,322 | 0.0% |
| Count | 2,290 | 2,290 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.78 | 0.78 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Trumbull bearers went from 2,290 to 2,290 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #13,322 to #13,322.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Trumbull
FAQ
Trumbull surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Trumbull?
The surname Trumbull holds position #13,322 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 2,673 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.78 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Trumbull surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Trumbull, the largest self-reported group is White at 92.9%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.7%) and Two or More Races (2.2%). 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.