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

Tumpkin, 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 Tumpkin surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Tumpkin in America

Tumpkin is the 138304th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Tumpkin surname appeared 121 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 Tumpkin.

We can also compare 2010 data for Tumpkin 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 Tumpkin

The surname Tumpkin is of English origin, with roots dating back to the 16th century. It is believed to have originated in the northern counties of England, particularly Yorkshire and Lancashire. The name is derived from the Old English word "tump," which means a small hillock or mound, combined with the diminutive suffix "-kin," indicating a small or endearing quality.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Tumpkin appears in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire from 1583, where a John Tumpkin is mentioned as a landowner in the village of Kettlewell. This suggests that the name was already established in the region by the late 16th century. Additionally, the Tumpkin surname can be found in various parish records and manorial rolls from the same period, indicating its presence across the northern counties.

In the 17th century, the Tumpkin name gained prominence with the birth of William Tumpkin (1609-1677), a prominent English clergyman and author. Born in Kendal, Westmorland, Tumpkin attended the University of Cambridge and later served as the Rector of Easton Neston in Northamptonshire. He is best known for his work "The Christian's Compass," published in 1664, which was a widely read devotional guide during that era.

Another notable figure bearing the Tumpkin surname was Robert Tumpkin (1712-1789), a successful merchant and landowner from Yorkshire. Records show that he owned several properties in the village of Staveley and was a prominent figure in the local community. His descendants continued to play an influential role in the region for several generations.

In the 19th century, the Tumpkin name gained further recognition with the birth of John Tumpkin (1822-1897), a renowned landscape painter from Lancashire. His works, which often depicted the rolling hills and scenic vistas of northern England, were widely admired and exhibited at the Royal Academy of Arts in London.

The surname Tumpkin has also been associated with several place names in the northern regions of England. For example, Tumpkin Hill and Tumpkin Lane are found in various localities across Yorkshire and Lancashire, likely derived from the Old English word "tump" and reflecting the presence of small mounds or hillocks in those areas.

While the Tumpkin surname is not among the most common in England, it has a rich history and has been carried by notable individuals throughout the centuries, particularly in the northern regions of the country. From clergymen and merchants to artists and landowners, the name has left its mark on various aspects of English history and culture.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Tumpkin

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

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

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

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