Denison — Last Name Origin & Meaning

English origin Rank #5,364 in the US 6,490 Americans

US Rank (2010)
#5,364
▼ Down 281 since 2000
People in the US
6,490
2.2 per 100K people
Origin
English
Old English

Origin & Meaning of the Denison Surname

What does the last name Denison mean?

The surname Denison carries the meaning "Son of Deni." 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 6,490 bearers in the 2010 US Census, Denison ranks as the #5,364 most common surname in the United States.

Where does the surname Denison come from?

The Denison 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 Denison name far beyond its original homeland.

Language of Origin

The linguistic roots of Denison 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 Denison
Meaning Son of Deni
Origin English
Language Old English
US Rank (2010) #5,364
US Count (2010) 6,490
Per 100K People 2.2
First Letter D

Ethnic Distribution of Denison

According to the US Census, the Denison surname is distributed across the following ethnic groups. This data reflects self-reported ethnicity among 6,490 Americans with the Denison last name.

White 92.02%
Black 1.65%
Hispanic 2.43%
Asian/PI 0.92%
Native American 1.09%
Two+ Races 1.88%
Ethnic distribution of the Denison surname in the US (2010 Census)
Ethnicity Percentage
White92.02%
Black1.65%
Hispanic2.43%
Asian/Pacific Islander0.92%
Native American1.09%
Two or More Races1.88%

Popularity of Denison Over Time

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

Census 2000
#5,083
6,336 people
Down 281
Census 2010
#5,364
6,490 people

The number of Americans with the Denison surname increased by 154 between 2000 and 2010.

Discover Your Denison Ancestry

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

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Similar Surnames to Denison

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

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 Denison.

Frequently Asked Questions About Denison

The surname Denison is of English origin. Son of Deni
The surname Denison is ranked #5,364 in the United States with approximately 6,490 people bearing this name as of the 2010 US Census.
Son of Deni. The name has English roots and has been present in the United States for generations.
According to US Census data, the Denison surname is distributed as: 92.0% White. This reflects the diverse heritage of Americans with this name.
To trace your Denison 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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