Explore the Family Name Lonsdale
The meaning of Lonsdale
English: habitational name from the district of Lonsdale (straddling Lancashire, Yorkshire, and Westmorland), and also from Lonsdale in Great Ayton (North Yorkshire). The district takes its name from the river Lune (of uncertain origin) + Old English dæl ‘valley’. The North Yorkshire placename probably derives from the late Old English personal name Lothen (genitive Lothenes), from Old Norse Lothinn, + Old English dæl ‘valley’.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Lonsdale in the United States?
Based on the Decennial U.S. Census data, the popularity of the surname Lonsdale has seen a small decline between 2000 and 2010. Ranked at 29,904 in 2000, it slid slightly to 30,165 in 2010, representing a change of -0.87 in rank. However, the actual count of individuals bearing this surname increased from 741 to 777 over the same period, an increase of 4.86. The proportion per 100k people also decreased slightly, from 0.27 to 0.26.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #29,904 | #30,165 | -0.87% |
| Count | 741 | 777 | 4.86% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.27 | 0.26 | -3.7% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Lonsdale
The ethnic identity associated with the surname Lonsdale also experienced changes during the decade, as revealed by the Decennial U.S. Census data. In 2000, the majority (92.17%) of those with the Lonsdale surname identified as White, but that portion shrank to 90.99% by 2010. The percentage of people identifying as Black with this surname increased significantly from 1.21 to 1.54. Interestingly, the census recorded new percentages for Asian/Pacific Islander and American Indian and Alaskan Native categories which were previously unrecorded. The percentage of people identifying with two or more races declined slightly, while the Hispanic category saw a modest increase.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 92.17% | 90.99% | -1.28% |
| Hispanic | 2.56% | 2.7% | 5.47% |
| Two or More Races | 2.83% | 2.57% | -9.19% |
| Black | 1.21% | 1.54% | 27.27% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0% | 1.42% | 0% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 0% | 0.77% | 0% |