Bankhead — Last Name Origin & Meaning

African American origin Rank #9,210 in the US 3,540 Americans

US Rank (2010)
#9,210
▼ Down 186 since 2000
People in the US
3,540
1.2 per 100K people
Origin
African American
English

Origin & Meaning of the Bankhead Surname

What does the last name Bankhead mean?

The surname Bankhead carries the meaning "Surname with roots in African American heritage." It is derived from the English language and has been passed down through generations, reflecting the occupations, locations, or characteristics of early bearers of the name. With 3,540 bearers in the 2010 US Census, Bankhead ranks as the #9,210 most common surname in the United States.

Where does the surname Bankhead come from?

The Bankhead surname has its roots in African American heritage. Names of African American 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 Bankhead name far beyond its original homeland.

Language of Origin

The linguistic roots of Bankhead trace back to 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.

African American English

Quick Facts

Surname Bankhead
Meaning Surname with roots in African American heritage
Origin African American
Language English
US Rank (2010) #9,210
US Count (2010) 3,540
Per 100K People 1.2
First Letter B

Ethnic Distribution of Bankhead

According to the US Census, the Bankhead surname is distributed across the following ethnic groups. This data reflects self-reported ethnicity among 3,540 Americans with the Bankhead last name.

White 38.11%
Black 56.55%
Hispanic 2.46%
Asian/PI 0.31%
Native American 0.23%
Two+ Races 2.34%
Ethnic distribution of the Bankhead surname in the US (2010 Census)
Ethnicity Percentage
White38.11%
Black56.55%
Hispanic2.46%
Asian/Pacific Islander0.31%
Native American0.23%
Two or More Races2.34%

Popularity of Bankhead Over Time

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

Census 2000
#9,024
3,331 people
Down 186
Census 2010
#9,210
3,540 people

The number of Americans with the Bankhead surname increased by 209 between 2000 and 2010.

Discover Your Bankhead Ancestry

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

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Similar Surnames to Bankhead

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

Other African American Surnames

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Bankhead

The surname Bankhead is of African American origin. Surname with roots in African American heritage
The surname Bankhead is ranked #9,210 in the United States with approximately 3,540 people bearing this name as of the 2010 US Census.
Surname with roots in African American heritage. The name has African American roots and has been present in the United States for generations.
According to US Census data, the Bankhead surname is distributed as: 38.1% White, 56.5% Black. This reflects the diverse heritage of Americans with this name.
To trace your Bankhead 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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