Origin & Meaning of the Bethea Surname
What does the last name Bethea mean?
The surname Bethea 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 12,061 bearers in the 2010 US Census, Bethea ranks as the #2,972 most common surname in the United States.
Where does the surname Bethea come from?
The Bethea 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 Bethea name far beyond its original homeland.
Language of Origin
The linguistic roots of Bethea 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.
Quick Facts
| Surname | Bethea |
|---|---|
| Meaning | Surname with roots in African American heritage |
| Origin | African American |
| Language | English |
| US Rank (2010) | #2,972 |
| US Count (2010) | 12,061 |
| Per 100K People | 4.09 |
| First Letter | B |
Ethnic Distribution of Bethea
According to the US Census, the Bethea surname is distributed across the following ethnic groups. This data reflects self-reported ethnicity among 12,061 Americans with the Bethea last name.
| Ethnicity | Percentage |
|---|---|
| White | 19.53% |
| Black | 74.76% |
| Hispanic | 2.32% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 0.18% |
| Native American | 0.55% |
| Two or More Races | 2.66% |
Popularity of Bethea Over Time
Comparing US Census data from 2000 and 2010 shows how the Bethea surname has changed in prevalence.
The number of Americans with the Bethea surname increased by 1,250 between 2000 and 2010.
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Similar Surnames to Bethea
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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 Bethea.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bethea
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