Explore the Family Name Esau
The meaning of Esau
English: from the Biblical personal name Esau, deriving from a word meaning ‘hairy’ in Hebrew. This was adopted as a personal name among Nonconformists in the 17th century, hence the surname, especially in south Wales. Esau was the elder twin brother of Jacob, who supplanted him (Genesis 25:25) and became the ancestral patriarch of the Israelites.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Esau in the United States?
Based on the Decennial U.S. Census data, the popularity of the surname Esau has seen an increase over a decade. In 2000, Esau was ranked 22,983 in terms of its popularity amongst all surnames in the United States. By 2010, it had climbed to rank 21,972, reflecting a rise of 4.4%. The total count of individuals with this surname increased from 1,039 in 2000 to 1,181 in 2010, marking a growth of 13.67%. The proportion of people named Esau per 100k also experienced a slight increase from 0.39 to 0.4.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #22,983 | #21,972 | 4.4% |
| Count | 1,039 | 1,181 | 13.67% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.39 | 0.4 | 2.56% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Esau
In terms of ethnicity, the data from the Decennial U.S. Census shows that there have been changes in the ethnic identity associated with the surname Esau between 2000 and 2010. The largest ethnic group associated with Esau is White, although the percentage decreased slightly from 77.77% in 2000 to 75.11% in 2010. The Hispanic population associated with this surname saw a notable increase, growing by 78.57% over the decade. Conversely, the Black population decreased by 25.16% during the same period. Meanwhile, the Asian/Pacific Islander group linked with the name Esau also saw a substantial growth, increasing by 53.23%. There was a marginal increase in the American Indian and Alaskan Native category, while the percentage of those identifying as two or more races reduced by 14.87%.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 77.77% | 75.11% | -3.42% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 5.58% | 8.55% | 53.23% |
| Black | 9.62% | 7.2% | -25.16% |
| Hispanic | 3.08% | 5.5% | 78.57% |
| Two or More Races | 2.69% | 2.29% | -14.87% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 1.25% | 1.35% | 8% |