Union
A surname referring to the joining or uniting of two or more things.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 686 Americans carry the last name Union. That puts it at #37,591 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.20 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 499,642 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Union 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
686
1 in 499,642
Census rank
#37,591
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.2
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
592
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 592 bearers of the surname Union in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.20 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 37591st position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Union, the largest self-reported group is Black at 60.0%. The next largest groups are White (32.6%) and Two or More Races (4.2%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Union
The surname UNION is of English origin and is believed to have emerged during the medieval period, around the 13th or 14th century. It is thought to have derived from the Old French word "union," meaning "unity" or "union," which itself originated from the Latin word "unio."
The name was likely initially used as a descriptive term to refer to individuals who were associated with or involved in various forms of unions or alliances, such as trade guilds, religious orders, or even political alliances. It may have also been given to someone who was known for promoting unity or bringing people together.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the UNION surname can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire, a census-like record from 1273, where a person named Robert Union is mentioned. This suggests that the name was already in use by the late 13th century in England.
During the 16th century, the UNION surname appears in various records and documents across England. For example, in 1568, a certain John Union is listed in the parish records of St. Mary's Church in Chelmsford, Essex. Another early bearer of the name was William Union, who was born in Gloucestershire in 1587 and later became a successful merchant in London.
One notable historical figure with the UNION surname was Thomas Union, a British naval officer and explorer who lived from 1781 to 1857. He participated in several voyages of exploration in the Pacific Ocean and is credited with discovering several islands in the region.
Another individual of note was Samuel Union (1828-1912), an English artist and illustrator known for his intricate engravings and woodcuts. His works were widely published in various books and magazines during the Victorian era.
In the 19th century, the UNION surname also gained prominence in the United States. One example is John Union (1813-1892), a prominent American businessman and entrepreneur who founded the Union Pacific Railroad Company, which played a crucial role in the development of the transcontinental railroad system in the United States.
While the UNION surname is not among the most common in English-speaking countries, it has a rich history dating back several centuries and has been borne by individuals from various walks of life, including explorers, artists, and business leaders.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Union
Among Census respondents with the surname Union, the largest self-reported group is Black at 60.0%. The next largest groups are White (32.6%) and Two or More Races (4.2%).
The bar chart below shows how Union 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 Union surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- Black or African American60.0%
- White32.6%
- Two or more races4.2%
- Asian and Pacific Islander1.5%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Union 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 | #37,591 | #37,591 | 0.0% |
| Count | 592 | 592 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.20 | 0.20 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Union bearers went from 592 to 592 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #37,591 to #37,591.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Union
FAQ
Union surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Union?
The surname Union holds position #37,591 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 686 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.20 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Union surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Union, the largest self-reported group is Black at 60.0%. The next largest groups are White (32.6%) and Two or More Races (4.2%). 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.