Origin of the Washington Surname
The Washington surname is of English origin (Old English). In the 2010 U.S. Census it ranked #145 with 177,386 Americans (60.14 per 100K people).
What the name meant to the first families who bore it — and how Washington traveled across regions and centuries — is written out in the full Heritage Report.
Quick Facts
| Surname | Washington |
|---|---|
| Meaning | Full etymology in the Heritage Report |
| Origin | English |
| Language | Old English |
| US Rank (2010) | #145 |
| US Count (2010) | 177,386 |
| Per 100K People | 60.14 |
| First Letter | W |
Ethnic Distribution of Washington
Among 177,386 Americans named Washington, the largest self-reported group is Black (87.53%).
The full multi-group chart (every percentage, print-ready) is inside the Heritage Report — not repeated here.
Popularity of Washington Over Time
Between the 2000 and 2010 U.S. Census, the national rank of Washington moved down. Exact counts for both years — print-ready — are in the Heritage Report.
Where did the Washington family really come from?
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The Complete Story of the Washington Family
What you’ve read above is just the overview. Your full Washington Heritage Report goes far deeper — and it’s yours to keep, print & share with your family.
- ✓ The true origin & meaning of Washington
- ✓ The Washington coat of arms & heraldry
- ✓ Migration journey across the world
- ✓ Where Washington families live today
- ✓ Notable Washington bearers in history
- ✓ Name variations & spellings worldwide
- ✓ A step-by-step guide to start tracing your own family tree
🎁 A heritage keepsake to pass down — perfect as a gift.
Get one Washington fact most families never hear by email — a teaser, not the full etymology (that’s in the report).
Similar Surnames to Washington
These surnames share similar popularity, spelling, or cultural background with Washington.
Other English Surnames
Explore more surnames with English roots. There are 162,254 surnames in our database — here are some that share the same English origin as Washington.
Frequently Asked Questions About Washington
Top Surnames Starting with W
The most common American surnames that begin with the letter W, ranked by population.
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