Origin & Meaning of the Joseph Surname
What does the last name Joseph mean?
The surname Joseph carries the meaning "Surname with roots in African American heritage." It is derived from the English language and has been passed down through generations, reflecting the occupations, locations, or characteristics of early bearers of the name. With 100,959 bearers in the 2010 US Census, Joseph ranks as the #313 most common surname in the United States.
Where does the surname Joseph come from?
The Joseph surname has its roots in African American heritage. Names of African American 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 Joseph name far beyond its original homeland.
Language of Origin
The linguistic roots of Joseph trace back to 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.
Quick Facts
| Surname | Joseph |
|---|---|
| Meaning | Surname with roots in African American heritage |
| Origin | African American |
| Language | English |
| US Rank (2010) | #313 |
| US Count (2010) | 100,959 |
| Per 100K People | 34.23 |
| First Letter | J |
Ethnic Distribution of Joseph
According to the US Census, the Joseph surname is distributed across the following ethnic groups. This data reflects self-reported ethnicity among 100,959 Americans with the Joseph last name.
| Ethnicity | Percentage |
|---|---|
| White | 29.59% |
| Black | 54.19% |
| Hispanic | 2.98% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 9.76% |
| Native American | 0.99% |
| Two or More Races | 2.49% |
Popularity of Joseph Over Time
Comparing US Census data from 2000 and 2010 shows how the Joseph surname has changed in prevalence.
The number of Americans with the Joseph surname increased by 20,929 between 2000 and 2010.
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Similar Surnames to Joseph
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Other African American Surnames
Explore more surnames with African American roots. There are 162,254 surnames in our database — here are some that share the same African American origin as Joseph.
Frequently Asked Questions About Joseph
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