Cousin — Last Name Origin & Meaning

African American origin Rank #10,292 in the US 3,131 Americans

US Rank (2010)
#10,292
▼ Down 274 since 2000
People in the US
3,131
1.06 per 100K people
Origin
African American
English

Origin & Meaning of the Cousin Surname

What does the last name Cousin mean?

The surname Cousin 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 3,131 bearers in the 2010 US Census, Cousin ranks as the #10,292 most common surname in the United States.

Where does the surname Cousin come from?

The Cousin 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 Cousin name far beyond its original homeland.

Language of Origin

The linguistic roots of Cousin 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 Cousin
Meaning Surname with roots in African American heritage
Origin African American
Language English
US Rank (2010) #10,292
US Count (2010) 3,131
Per 100K People 1.06
First Letter C

Ethnic Distribution of Cousin

According to the US Census, the Cousin surname is distributed across the following ethnic groups. This data reflects self-reported ethnicity among 3,131 Americans with the Cousin last name.

White 29.22%
Black 61.42%
Hispanic 3.99%
Asian/PI 0.77%
Native American 0.57%
Two+ Races 4.02%
Ethnic distribution of the Cousin surname in the US (2010 Census)
Ethnicity Percentage
White29.22%
Black61.42%
Hispanic3.99%
Asian/Pacific Islander0.77%
Native American0.57%
Two or More Races4.02%

Popularity of Cousin Over Time

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

Census 2000
#10,018
2,968 people
Down 274
Census 2010
#10,292
3,131 people

The number of Americans with the Cousin surname increased by 163 between 2000 and 2010.

Discover Your Cousin Ancestry

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

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Similar Surnames to Cousin

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

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 Cousin.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cousin

The surname Cousin is of African American origin. Surname with roots in African American heritage
The surname Cousin is ranked #10,292 in the United States with approximately 3,131 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 Cousin surname is distributed as: 29.2% White, 61.4% Black. This reflects the diverse heritage of Americans with this name.
To trace your Cousin 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.

People searching for information about the Cousin surname also look for:

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