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

Vernon, 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 Vernon surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Vernon in America

Vernon is the 2070th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Vernon surname appeared 17,480 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 6 people would have the surname Vernon.

We can also compare 2010 data for Vernon 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 Vernon

The surname Vernon is believed to have originated in Normandy, France, during the early Middle Ages. It is derived from the Old French place name "Vernon-sur-Seine," which refers to a town located along the Seine River in the northern region of France. The name itself is thought to be a combination of the Gaulish word "ver," meaning "alder tree," and the Old French word "non," meaning "valley."

One of the earliest recorded references to the Vernon surname can be found in the famous Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of land ownership and taxation commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The survey mentions individuals with the name Vernon holding lands in various parts of England, suggesting that the surname had already been established by the time of the Norman Conquest in 1066.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the Vernon surname. One of the earliest was Richard de Vernon (c. 1090-1153), a Norman baron who played a significant role in the civil war between King Stephen and Empress Matilda during the 12th century. Another prominent figure was Sir William Vernon (c. 1350-1403), an English knight who served under King Richard II and was appointed the Constable of England.

During the 16th century, the Vernon family gained prominence in England. Sir George Vernon (c. 1508-1567) was a member of Parliament and a staunch supporter of the Protestant Reformation. His grandson, Sir Edward Vernon (1584-1657), was a renowned English naval officer who played a crucial role in the Anglo-Spanish War and the English Civil War.

In the United States, the Vernon surname has a long history dating back to the colonial era. One of the earliest recorded instances is that of Edward Vernon (c. 1670-1730), a British naval officer who led successful expeditions against the Spanish in the West Indies during the War of the Spanish Succession. He later served as the Governor of Antigua and Barbuda.

Another notable American with the Vernon surname was Samuel Vernon (1738-1800), a Revolutionary War soldier and one of the founders of Newport, Rhode Island. In the literary world, Jane Vernon (1801-1890), an English novelist and playwright, gained recognition for her works depicting the lives of the English gentry.

The Vernon surname has had a rich and varied history, spanning across continents and centuries. From its origins in Normandy to its presence in various parts of the world, the name has been carried by individuals who have left their mark in various fields, including politics, military, literature, and more.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Vernon

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

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

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

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