Terry — Last Name Origin & Meaning

Unknown origin Rank #361 in the US 87,000 Americans

US Rank (2010)
#361
▼ Down 25 since 2000
People in the US
87,000
29.49 per 100K people
Origin
Unknown
Unknown

Origin & Meaning of the Terry Surname

What does the last name Terry mean?

The surname Terry 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 87,000 bearers in the 2010 US Census, Terry ranks as the #361 most common surname in the United States.

Where does the surname Terry come from?

The Terry 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 Terry name far beyond its original homeland.

Language of Origin

The linguistic roots of Terry 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.

Unknown Unknown

Quick Facts

Surname Terry
Meaning Origin and meaning under research
Origin Unknown
Language Unknown
US Rank (2010) #361
US Count (2010) 87,000
Per 100K People 29.49
First Letter T

Ethnic Distribution of Terry

According to the US Census, the Terry surname is distributed across the following ethnic groups. This data reflects self-reported ethnicity among 87,000 Americans with the Terry last name.

White 66.28%
Black 27.34%
Hispanic 2.68%
Asian/PI 0.56%
Native American 0.7%
Two+ Races 2.44%
Ethnic distribution of the Terry surname in the US (2010 Census)
Ethnicity Percentage
White66.28%
Black27.34%
Hispanic2.68%
Asian/Pacific Islander0.56%
Native American0.7%
Two or More Races2.44%

Popularity of Terry Over Time

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

Census 2000
#336
83,437 people
Down 25
Census 2010
#361
87,000 people

The number of Americans with the Terry surname increased by 3,563 between 2000 and 2010.

Discover Your Terry Ancestry

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

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Similar Surnames to Terry

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

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 Terry.

Frequently Asked Questions About Terry

The surname Terry is of Unknown origin. Origin and meaning under research
The surname Terry is ranked #361 in the United States with approximately 87,000 people bearing this name as of the 2010 US Census.
Origin and meaning under research. The name has Unknown roots and has been present in the United States for generations.
According to US Census data, the Terry surname is distributed as: 66.3% White, 27.3% Black. This reflects the diverse heritage of Americans with this name.
To trace your Terry 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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