Farmer — Last Name Origin & Meaning

English origin Rank #480 in the US 69,617 Americans

US Rank (2010)
#480
▼ Down 49 since 2000
People in the US
69,617
23.6 per 100K people
Origin
English
Old English

Origin & Meaning of the Farmer Surname

What does the last name Farmer mean?

The surname Farmer 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 69,617 bearers in the 2010 US Census, Farmer ranks as the #480 most common surname in the United States.

Where does the surname Farmer come from?

The Farmer 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 Farmer name far beyond its original homeland.

Language of Origin

The linguistic roots of Farmer 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 Farmer
Meaning One who does
Origin English
Language Old English
US Rank (2010) #480
US Count (2010) 69,617
Per 100K People 23.6
First Letter F

Ethnic Distribution of Farmer

According to the US Census, the Farmer surname is distributed across the following ethnic groups. This data reflects self-reported ethnicity among 69,617 Americans with the Farmer last name.

White 77.16%
Black 17.45%
Hispanic 2.07%
Asian/PI 0.47%
Native American 1.05%
Two+ Races 1.82%
Ethnic distribution of the Farmer surname in the US (2010 Census)
Ethnicity Percentage
White77.16%
Black17.45%
Hispanic2.07%
Asian/Pacific Islander0.47%
Native American1.05%
Two or More Races1.82%

Popularity of Farmer Over Time

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

Census 2000
#431
68,309 people
Down 49
Census 2010
#480
69,617 people

The number of Americans with the Farmer surname increased by 1,308 between 2000 and 2010.

Discover Your Farmer Ancestry

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

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Similar Surnames to Farmer

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

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 Farmer.

Frequently Asked Questions About Farmer

The surname Farmer is of English origin. One who does
The surname Farmer is ranked #480 in the United States with approximately 69,617 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 Farmer surname is distributed as: 77.2% White, 17.4% Black. This reflects the diverse heritage of Americans with this name.
To trace your Farmer 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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