Workman
An occupational surname referring to a laborer or worker, particularly in construction or manufacturing.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 37,017 Americans carry the last name Workman. That puts it at #1,097 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 10.80 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 9,259 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Workman 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
37K
1 in 9,259
Census rank
#1,097
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
10.8
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
32K
uncommon in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 31,856 bearers of the surname Workman in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 10.80 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 1097th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Workman, the largest self-reported group is White at 90.1%. The next largest groups are Black (5.0%) and Hispanic (2.0%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Workman
The surname WORKMAN is of English and Scottish origin, derived from the occupational term "workman," which referred to a skilled artisan or craftsman. It emerged during the Middle Ages, a period when hereditary surnames were beginning to be adopted.
The name WORKMAN first appeared in the English counties of Northumberland, Durham, and Yorkshire, as well as in Scotland, particularly in the Borders region. It is believed to have originated from the Old English word "worc" or "wyrce," meaning "work" or "labor."
One of the earliest recorded instances of the WORKMAN surname can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire from the late 12th century, where a certain Walter Workeman is mentioned. Other early records include the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire from 1273, which lists a William le Workman.
The WORKMAN name has been associated with various trades and professions throughout history. For instance, William Workman (1605-1677) was a prominent English writer and translator, known for his translations of several works by Spanish authors.
Another notable figure was Benjamin Workman (1819-1900), a Canadian businessman and philanthropist who founded the town of Côte Saint-Luc in Quebec. He was also involved in the establishment of several educational institutions, including McGill University.
In the United States, one of the earliest recorded instances of the WORKMAN surname dates back to the 17th century, when John Workman (1619-1684) emigrated from England and settled in Oyster Bay, Long Island, New York.
The WORKMAN name has also been connected to several place names, such as Workman's Field in Nottinghamshire, England, and Workman's Village in Ontario, Canada, which was established in the early 19th century by a family of that name.
Other notable individuals with the WORKMAN surname include James Workman (1808-1888), a British architect known for his work on medieval churches and cathedrals, and David Workman (1916-2007), an American artist and sculptor recognized for his abstract expressionist works.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Workman
Among Census respondents with the surname Workman, the largest self-reported group is White at 90.1%. The next largest groups are Black (5.0%) and Hispanic (2.0%).
The bar chart below shows how Workman 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 Workman surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White90.1%
- Black or African American5.0%
- Hispanic or Latino2.0%
- Two or more races1.7%
- American Indian and Alaska Native0.7%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.4%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Workman 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 | #1,097 | #1,097 | 0.0% |
| Count | 31,856 | 31,856 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 10.80 | 10.80 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Workman bearers went from 31,856 to 31,856 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #1,097 to #1,097.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Workman
FAQ
Workman surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Workman?
The surname Workman holds position #1,097 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 37,017 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 10.80 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Workman surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Workman, the largest self-reported group is White at 90.1%. The next largest groups are Black (5.0%) and Hispanic (2.0%). 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.