Tuttle
Derived from a place name meaning "lookout hill," likely referring to someone who lived near such a location.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 32,253 Americans carry the last name Tuttle. That puts it at #1,267 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 9.41 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 10,627 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Tuttle 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
32K
1 in 10,627
Census rank
#1,267
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
9.4
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
28K
uncommon in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 27,751 bearers of the surname Tuttle in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 9.41 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 1267th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Tuttle, the largest self-reported group is White at 93.4%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.1%) and Two or More Races (1.6%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Tuttle
The surname Tuttle originated in England, primarily in the counties of Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire, during the Middle Ages. The name is derived from the Old English word "totyl," which means "to project" or "to look out." It likely referred to someone who lived on a prominent hill or ridge.
The earliest recorded instance of the Tuttle surname can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Totylla" and "Totyl." This suggests that the name was well-established in England by the 11th century.
In the 13th century, the name was commonly spelled as "Tothill" or "Totehill," reflecting its connection to the word "hill" and the geographic location of the name's bearers. The variant spelling "Tuttle" emerged in the 16th century and became the predominant form.
One notable figure bearing the Tuttle surname was Sir John Tuttle (1550-1622), a wealthy merchant and landowner in Lincolnshire. He served as the Lord Mayor of London in 1611 and was knighted by King James I.
Another prominent individual with the Tuttle name was William Tuttle (1619-1673), one of the founders of the New Haven Colony in Connecticut. He emigrated from England to the American colonies in 1635 and played a significant role in the early settlement of New Haven.
In the literary world, Mary Tuttle (1905-1986) was an American author and illustrator known for her children's books, including the popular "Mushroom in the Rain" series.
Thomas Tuttle (1654-1737), a descendant of William Tuttle, was a prominent figure in the early history of New Hampshire. He served as a selectman and deacon in the town of Dover and played a crucial role in the establishment of the local church.
During the American Revolutionary War, Jeremiah Tuttle (1747-1825) served as a captain in the Continental Army, participating in several major battles and contributing to the fight for American independence.
Throughout its history, the Tuttle surname has been associated with various locations, including the village of Tuttle Hill in Lincolnshire and the town of Tuttlebury in Nottinghamshire, both of which likely derived their names from the Tuttle family's presence in those areas.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Tuttle
Among Census respondents with the surname Tuttle, the largest self-reported group is White at 93.4%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.1%) and Two or More Races (1.6%).
The bar chart below shows how Tuttle 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 Tuttle surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White93.4%
- Hispanic or Latino2.1%
- Two or more races1.6%
- Black or African American1.4%
- American Indian and Alaska Native1.0%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.5%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Tuttle 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 | #1,267 | #1,267 | 0.0% |
| Count | 27,751 | 27,751 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 9.41 | 9.41 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Tuttle bearers went from 27,751 to 27,751 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #1,267 to #1,267.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Tuttle
FAQ
Tuttle surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Tuttle?
The surname Tuttle holds position #1,267 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 32,253 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 9.41 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Tuttle surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Tuttle, the largest self-reported group is White at 93.4%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.1%) and Two or More Races (1.6%). 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.