Explore the Family Name Beckford
The meaning of Beckford
English: habitational name from a place now in Worcestershire (formerly in Gloucestershire) named Beckford, from the Middle English name Becke (see Beck 3) + Old English ford ‘ford’. This surname is most frequent in Jamaica. History: The surname Beckford was taken to Jamaica in the 17th century. Colonel Peter Beckford (1643–1710) served as acting governor of Jamaica in 1702.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Beckford in the United States?
The surname Beckford saw a surge in popularity between 2000 and 2010, according to the Decennial U.S. Census data. In 2000, it was ranked as the 8,925th most common surname, but by 2010, it had climbed to the 7,748th position, marking a 13.19 percent increase. The actual count of people with the Beckford surname also rose from 3,371 to 4,285 during this period, indicating a significant growth rate of 27.11 percent. Moreover, the proportion of individuals with this last name per 100,000 people increased by 16 percent, from 1.25 in 2000 to 1.45 in 2010.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #8,925 | #7,748 | 13.19% |
| Count | 3,371 | 4,285 | 27.11% |
| Proportion per 100k | 1.25 | 1.45 | 16% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Beckford
When examining the ethnic identity associated with the Beckford surname, the Decennial U.S. Census data reveals some shifts over the decade. The largest group identifying with this surname remained consistent, with Black individuals making up 77.40 percent in 2000 and slightly increasing to 78.90 percent in 2010. The next largest ethnicity was White, which decreased from 12.61 percent to 10.62 percent. Hispanic representation saw growth, rising from 5.10 percent to 6.44 percent. There was a notable increase in the Asian/Pacific Islander category, which more than doubled from 0.24 percent to 0.49 percent. Those identifying as Two or more races decreased from 4.33 percent to 3.34 percent, while individuals identifying as American Indian and Alaskan Native dropped from 0.33 percent to 0.21 percent.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black | 77.4% | 78.9% | 1.94% |
| White | 12.61% | 10.62% | -15.78% |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 6.44% | 26.27% |
| Two or More Races | 4.33% | 3.34% | -22.86% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 0.24% | 0.49% | 104.17% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0.33% | 0.21% | -36.36% |