Origin & Meaning of the Bess Surname
What does the last name Bess mean?
The surname Bess carries the meaning "Origin and meaning under research." It is derived from the Unknown language and has been passed down through generations, reflecting the occupations, locations, or characteristics of early bearers of the name. With 9,663 bearers in the 2010 US Census, Bess ranks as the #3,677 most common surname in the United States.
Where does the surname Bess come from?
The Bess surname has its roots in Unknown heritage. Names of Unknown 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 Bess name far beyond its original homeland.
Language of Origin
The linguistic roots of Bess trace back to Unknown. Understanding the original language helps decode the meaning and evolution of the name from its earliest recorded forms to the modern spelling used today.
Quick Facts
| Surname | Bess |
|---|---|
| Meaning | Origin and meaning under research |
| Origin | Unknown |
| Language | Unknown |
| US Rank (2010) | #3,677 |
| US Count (2010) | 9,663 |
| Per 100K People | 3.28 |
| First Letter | B |
Ethnic Distribution of Bess
According to the US Census, the Bess surname is distributed across the following ethnic groups. This data reflects self-reported ethnicity among 9,663 Americans with the Bess last name.
| Ethnicity | Percentage |
|---|---|
| White | 58.74% |
| Black | 34.51% |
| Hispanic | 3.4% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 0.53% |
| Native American | 0.56% |
| Two or More Races | 2.26% |
Popularity of Bess Over Time
Comparing US Census data from 2000 and 2010 shows how the Bess surname has changed in prevalence.
The number of Americans with the Bess surname increased by 434 between 2000 and 2010.
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Similar Surnames to Bess
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Other Unknown Surnames
Explore more surnames with Unknown roots. There are 162,254 surnames in our database — here are some that share the same Unknown origin as Bess.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bess
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