Origin & Meaning of the Sterling Surname
What does the last name Sterling mean?
The surname Sterling 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 25,894 bearers in the 2010 US Census, Sterling ranks as the #1,362 most common surname in the United States.
Where does the surname Sterling come from?
The Sterling 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 Sterling name far beyond its original homeland.
Language of Origin
The linguistic roots of Sterling 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 | Sterling |
|---|---|
| Meaning | Origin and meaning under research |
| Origin | Unknown |
| Language | Unknown |
| US Rank (2010) | #1,362 |
| US Count (2010) | 25,894 |
| Per 100K People | 8.78 |
| First Letter | S |
Ethnic Distribution of Sterling
According to the US Census, the Sterling surname is distributed across the following ethnic groups. This data reflects self-reported ethnicity among 25,894 Americans with the Sterling last name.
| Ethnicity | Percentage |
|---|---|
| White | 63.61% |
| Black | 28.49% |
| Hispanic | 4.35% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 0.69% |
| Native American | 0.49% |
| Two or More Races | 2.38% |
Popularity of Sterling Over Time
Comparing US Census data from 2000 and 2010 shows how the Sterling surname has changed in prevalence.
The number of Americans with the Sterling surname increased by 1,580 between 2000 and 2010.
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Similar Surnames to Sterling
These surnames share similar popularity, spelling, or cultural background with Sterling.
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 Sterling.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sterling
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