Origin & Meaning of the Downing Surname
What does the last name Downing mean?
The surname Downing 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 28,880 bearers in the 2010 US Census, Downing ranks as the #1,225 most common surname in the United States.
Where does the surname Downing come from?
The Downing 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 Downing name far beyond its original homeland.
Language of Origin
The linguistic roots of Downing 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 | Downing |
|---|---|
| Meaning | Origin and meaning under research |
| Origin | Unknown |
| Language | Unknown |
| US Rank (2010) | #1,225 |
| US Count (2010) | 28,880 |
| Per 100K People | 9.79 |
| First Letter | D |
Ethnic Distribution of Downing
According to the US Census, the Downing surname is distributed across the following ethnic groups. This data reflects self-reported ethnicity among 28,880 Americans with the Downing last name.
| Ethnicity | Percentage |
|---|---|
| White | 80.29% |
| Black | 12.93% |
| Hispanic | 2.66% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 0.6% |
| Native American | 1.17% |
| Two or More Races | 2.34% |
Popularity of Downing Over Time
Comparing US Census data from 2000 and 2010 shows how the Downing surname has changed in prevalence.
The number of Americans with the Downing surname increased by 1,001 between 2000 and 2010.
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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 Downing.
Frequently Asked Questions About Downing
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