Explore the Family Name Layer
The meaning of Layer
1. English: habitational name from any of the three places in Essex—Layer Breton, Layer de la Haye, and Layer Marney—all named from a river name, Leire, the name of a small stream, thought to be from a Celtic word meaning ‘mud’. 2. English: nickname or status name from Anglo-Norman French le eyr ‘the heir’. Compare Ayer. 3. English: occupational name for a stone layer, Middle English leyer, leghere; the job of the layer was to position the stones worked by the masons. 4. German: habitational name for someone from any of various places called Lay. Some characteristic forenames: German Otto, Franz, Hans.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Layer in the United States?
Based on the Decennial U.S. Census data, the popularity of the surname "Layer" has seen a slight decrease between 2000 and 2010. In 2000, it was ranked 18,461 with 1,381 individuals bearing the name, equating to approximately 0.51 per 100k people. By 2010, the rank had slipped to 20,165 and the count dropped to 1,323, or about 0.45 per 100k people. This represents a reduction in popularity rank by about 9.23% and a 4.2% drop in the total count.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #18,461 | #20,165 | -9.23% |
| Count | 1,381 | 1,323 | -4.2% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.51 | 0.45 | -11.76% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Layer
In terms of ethnicity, Decennial U.S. Census data shows that the majority of those with the surname "Layer" identify as White, with a slight decrease from 91.17% in 2000 to 90.70% in 2010. The percentage of those identifying as Black also decreased from 5.07% to 4.38%. However, there were increases in other ethnic identities. Those identifying as Hispanic increased from 1.96% to 2.72%, and those reporting two or more races rose from 1.3% to 1.66%. There was no change reported among those identifying as Asian/Pacific Islander or American Indian and Alaskan Native.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 91.17% | 90.7% | -0.52% |
| Black | 5.07% | 4.38% | -13.61% |
| Hispanic | 1.96% | 2.72% | 38.78% |
| Two or More Races | 1.3% | 1.66% | 27.69% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0% | 0% | 0% |