Origin & Meaning of the Black Surname
What does the last name Black mean?
The surname Black 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 154,738 bearers in the 2010 US Census, Black ranks as the #174 most common surname in the United States.
Where does the surname Black come from?
The Black 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 Black name far beyond its original homeland.
Language of Origin
The linguistic roots of Black 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 | Black |
|---|---|
| Meaning | Origin and meaning under research |
| Origin | Unknown |
| Language | Unknown |
| US Rank (2010) | #174 |
| US Count (2010) | 154,738 |
| Per 100K People | 52.46 |
| First Letter | B |
Ethnic Distribution of Black
According to the US Census, the Black surname is distributed across the following ethnic groups. This data reflects self-reported ethnicity among 154,738 Americans with the Black last name.
| Ethnicity | Percentage |
|---|---|
| White | 74.63% |
| Black | 19.0% |
| Hispanic | 2.33% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 0.53% |
| Native American | 1.44% |
| Two or More Races | 2.08% |
Popularity of Black Over Time
Comparing US Census data from 2000 and 2010 shows how the Black surname has changed in prevalence.
The number of Americans with the Black surname increased by 4,552 between 2000 and 2010.
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Similar Surnames to Black
These surnames share similar popularity, spelling, or cultural background with Black.
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 Black.
Frequently Asked Questions About Black
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