Origin & Meaning of the John Surname
What does the last name John mean?
The surname John 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 33,543 bearers in the 2010 US Census, John ranks as the #1,034 most common surname in the United States.
Where does the surname John come from?
The John 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 John name far beyond its original homeland.
Language of Origin
The linguistic roots of John 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 | John |
|---|---|
| Meaning | Origin and meaning under research |
| Origin | Unknown |
| Language | Unknown |
| US Rank (2010) | #1,034 |
| US Count (2010) | 33,543 |
| Per 100K People | 11.37 |
| First Letter | J |
Ethnic Distribution of John
According to the US Census, the John surname is distributed across the following ethnic groups. This data reflects self-reported ethnicity among 33,543 Americans with the John last name.
| Ethnicity | Percentage |
|---|---|
| White | 40.98% |
| Black | 21.03% |
| Hispanic | 3.15% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 21.27% |
| Native American | 11.17% |
| Two or More Races | 2.41% |
Popularity of John Over Time
Comparing US Census data from 2000 and 2010 shows how the John surname has changed in prevalence.
The number of Americans with the John surname increased by 5,900 between 2000 and 2010.
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Similar Surnames to John
These surnames share similar popularity, spelling, or cultural background with John.
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 John.
Frequently Asked Questions About John
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