Explore the Family Name Berkshire
The meaning of Berkshire
English: habitational name from the county of Berkshire in central southern England. The placename is derived from a Celtic name meaning ‘hilly place’ + Old English scīr ‘shire’.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Berkshire in the United States?
Based on the Decennial U.S. Census, the popularity of the surname Berkshire has seen a slight decline. In 2000, it was ranked 21,406 in terms of commonality and rose slightly to 21,842 in 2010 – a change of -2.04%. However, the actual count of individuals carrying this surname has increased by 4.48%, with 1,139 people in 2000 to 1,190 in 2010. The proportion of the Berkshire surname per 100,000 people has decreased by -4.76% over the 10 years.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #21,406 | #21,842 | -2.04% |
| Count | 1,139 | 1,190 | 4.48% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.42 | 0.4 | -4.76% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Berkshire
The ethnic identity associated with the Berkshire surname also saw some changes from 2000 to 2010 according to the Decennial U.S. Census. While those identifying as White held the majority at 98.51% in 2000, it decreased to 96.64% in 2010. Those identifying as Black or African American saw an increase from 0.44% to 0.76%. The Hispanic population bearing the Berkshire surname emerged in 2010, making up 1.01% of the total. There was also a small increase in those identifying with two or more races, increasing from 0.70% to 0.76%. No data was reported for Asian/Pacific Islander or American Indian and Alaskan Native categories.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 98.51% | 96.64% | -1.9% |
| Hispanic | 0% | 1.01% | 0% |
| Two or More Races | 0.7% | 0.76% | 8.57% |
| Black | 0.44% | 0.76% | 72.73% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0% | 0% | 0% |