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

Upjohn, 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 Upjohn surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Upjohn in America

Upjohn is the 144908th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Upjohn surname appeared 105 times in the 2000 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Upjohn.

The history of the last name Upjohn

The surname Upjohn has its origins in England, specifically dating back to the medieval period. The name is most commonly associated with the West Country, particularly in the counties of Somerset and Devon. It is believed to have derived from a baptismal or personal name, indicating 'son of John.' The prefix "Up" in the name Upjohn comes from the Old English 'upp,' signifying something along the lines of ‘above’ or ‘up.’ Thus, the name suggests being 'son of John from the upper lands or regions,' differentiating from those living in lower parts of the area.

Old records indicate variations and similar spellings like "Uponjohn" or "Upjohns.” One notable early record is a "Richard Upjohn" from Somerset, documented in the early 16th century. The name appears to have grown in usage and spelling standardization around this time, with consistent references found in parish records and legal documents.

Historically, the Upjohn family held a presence in various parish registers and wills. In 1588, a William Upjohn is recorded in Devon, further solidifying the roots of the name in the southwest of England. The consistent appearance in these regions suggests the family was well-established and likely part of the agrarian or local tradesmen community.

Notable figures bearing the surname Upjohn include Richard Upjohn (1802–1878), an English-born architect who emigrated to the United States and profoundly influenced Gothic Revival architecture. Another significant individual is Dr. William E. Upjohn (1853–1932), the founder of The Upjohn Pharmaceutical Company. His contributions to medicine and pharmaceuticals were vital in the development of easily dosable medicine forms like tablets.

Further historical references include Jane Upjohn, baptized in 1614 in Dorset, indicating the spread and lineage continuation of the surname in neighboring counties. James Upjohn, noted in a 17th-century legal document from Taunton, Somerset, is another example showing the enduring presence and economic activity of the family through different eras.

Additionally, a remarkable individual named Thomas Upjohn served as Mayor of Poole in 1652. His civic involvement underscores the family's active participation in both local governance and community affairs, highlighting a lineage of public service.

Throughout history, the surname Upjohn has maintained its association with the West Country of England and has been borne by individuals contributing significantly to their communities, whether in medieval agrarian society or modern industrial advancements. The name continues to be a testament to its rich historical legacy.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Upjohn

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

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 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Upjohn 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.

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

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!