Custer — Last Name Origin & Meaning

English origin Rank #3,324 in the US 10,790 Americans

US Rank (2010)
#3,324
▼ Down 214 since 2000
People in the US
10,790
3.66 per 100K people
Origin
English
Old English

Origin & Meaning of the Custer Surname

What does the last name Custer mean?

The surname Custer carries the meaning "One who does." It is derived from the Old English language and has been passed down through generations, reflecting the occupations, locations, or characteristics of early bearers of the name. With 10,790 bearers in the 2010 US Census, Custer ranks as the #3,324 most common surname in the United States.

Where does the surname Custer come from?

The Custer surname has its roots in English heritage. Names of English 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 Custer name far beyond its original homeland.

Language of Origin

The linguistic roots of Custer trace back to Old 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.

English Old English

Quick Facts

Surname Custer
Meaning One who does
Origin English
Language Old English
US Rank (2010) #3,324
US Count (2010) 10,790
Per 100K People 3.66
First Letter C

Ethnic Distribution of Custer

According to the US Census, the Custer surname is distributed across the following ethnic groups. This data reflects self-reported ethnicity among 10,790 Americans with the Custer last name.

White 93.41%
Black 1.57%
Hispanic 1.91%
Asian/PI 0.61%
Native American 1.01%
Two+ Races 1.49%
Ethnic distribution of the Custer surname in the US (2010 Census)
Ethnicity Percentage
White93.41%
Black1.57%
Hispanic1.91%
Asian/Pacific Islander0.61%
Native American1.01%
Two or More Races1.49%

Popularity of Custer Over Time

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

Census 2000
#3,110
10,684 people
Down 214
Census 2010
#3,324
10,790 people

The number of Americans with the Custer surname increased by 106 between 2000 and 2010.

Discover Your Custer Ancestry

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

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Similar Surnames to Custer

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

Other English Surnames

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Custer

The surname Custer is of English origin. One who does
The surname Custer is ranked #3,324 in the United States with approximately 10,790 people bearing this name as of the 2010 US Census.
One who does. The name has English roots and has been present in the United States for generations.
According to US Census data, the Custer surname is distributed as: 93.4% White. This reflects the diverse heritage of Americans with this name.
To trace your Custer 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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