Nurse — Last Name Origin & Meaning

African American origin Rank #11,327 in the US 2,786 Americans

US Rank (2010)
#11,327
▲ Up 203 since 2000
People in the US
2,786
0.94 per 100K people
Origin
African American
English

Origin & Meaning of the Nurse Surname

What does the last name Nurse mean?

The surname Nurse 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 2,786 bearers in the 2010 US Census, Nurse ranks as the #11,327 most common surname in the United States.

Where does the surname Nurse come from?

The Nurse 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 Nurse name far beyond its original homeland.

Language of Origin

The linguistic roots of Nurse 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.

African American English

Quick Facts

Surname Nurse
Meaning Surname with roots in African American heritage
Origin African American
Language English
US Rank (2010) #11,327
US Count (2010) 2,786
Per 100K People 0.94
First Letter N

Ethnic Distribution of Nurse

According to the US Census, the Nurse surname is distributed across the following ethnic groups. This data reflects self-reported ethnicity among 2,786 Americans with the Nurse last name.

White 21.18%
Black 69.02%
Hispanic 7.0%
Two+ Races 2.3%
Ethnic distribution of the Nurse surname in the US (2010 Census)
Ethnicity Percentage
White21.18%
Black69.02%
Hispanic7.0%
Two or More Races2.3%

Popularity of Nurse Over Time

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

Census 2000
#11,530
2,501 people
Up 203
Census 2010
#11,327
2,786 people

The number of Americans with the Nurse surname increased by 285 between 2000 and 2010.

Discover Your Nurse Ancestry

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

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Similar Surnames to Nurse

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

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 Nurse.

Frequently Asked Questions About Nurse

The surname Nurse is of African American origin. Surname with roots in African American heritage
The surname Nurse is ranked #11,327 in the United States with approximately 2,786 people bearing this name as of the 2010 US Census.
Surname with roots in African American heritage. The name has African American roots and has been present in the United States for generations.
According to US Census data, the Nurse surname is distributed as: 21.2% White, 69.0% Black, 7.0% Hispanic. This reflects the diverse heritage of Americans with this name.
To trace your Nurse 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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