Archer — Last Name Origin & Meaning

English origin Rank #1,000 in the US 34,949 Americans

US Rank (2010)
#1,000
▼ Down 42 since 2000
People in the US
34,949
11.85 per 100K people
Origin
English
Old English

Origin & Meaning of the Archer Surname

What does the last name Archer mean?

The surname Archer carries the meaning "One who does." It is derived from the Old English language and has been passed down through generations, reflecting the occupations, locations, or characteristics of early bearers of the name. With 34,949 bearers in the 2010 US Census, Archer ranks as the #1,000 most common surname in the United States.

Where does the surname Archer come from?

The Archer surname has its roots in English heritage. Names of English origin often reflect the cultural, linguistic, and historical traditions of the communities where they first appeared. Over centuries, migration and cultural exchange have spread the Archer name far beyond its original homeland.

Language of Origin

The linguistic roots of Archer trace back to Old English. Understanding the original language helps decode the meaning and evolution of the name from its earliest recorded forms to the modern spelling used today.

English Old English

Quick Facts

Surname Archer
Meaning One who does
Origin English
Language Old English
US Rank (2010) #1,000
US Count (2010) 34,949
Per 100K People 11.85
First Letter A

Ethnic Distribution of Archer

According to the US Census, the Archer surname is distributed across the following ethnic groups. This data reflects self-reported ethnicity among 34,949 Americans with the Archer last name.

White 79.5%
Black 13.99%
Hispanic 3.13%
Asian/PI 0.6%
Native American 0.74%
Two+ Races 2.03%
Ethnic distribution of the Archer surname in the US (2010 Census)
Ethnicity Percentage
White79.5%
Black13.99%
Hispanic3.13%
Asian/Pacific Islander0.6%
Native American0.74%
Two or More Races2.03%

Popularity of Archer Over Time

Comparing US Census data from 2000 and 2010 shows how the Archer surname has changed in prevalence.

Census 2000
#958
33,411 people
Down 42
Census 2010
#1,000
34,949 people

The number of Americans with the Archer surname increased by 1,538 between 2000 and 2010.

Discover Your Archer Ancestry

Uncover your family's history with a DNA test. Learn where your Archer ancestors came from and connect with relatives worldwide.

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Similar Surnames to Archer

These surnames share similar popularity, spelling, or cultural background with Archer.

Other English Surnames

Explore more surnames with English roots. There are 162,254 surnames in our database — here are some that share the same English origin as Archer.

Frequently Asked Questions About Archer

The surname Archer is of English origin. One who does
The surname Archer is ranked #1,000 in the United States with approximately 34,949 people bearing this name as of the 2010 US Census.
One who does. The name has English roots and has been present in the United States for generations.
According to US Census data, the Archer surname is distributed as: 79.5% White, 14.0% Black. This reflects the diverse heritage of Americans with this name.
To trace your Archer ancestry, consider using DNA testing services like Ancestry.com, 23andMe, or MyHeritage. These services can connect you with relatives and reveal your ethnic heritage and migration patterns.

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