Explore the Family Name Sample
The meaning of Sample
English (northeastern): of Norman origin, a habitational name from any of numerous places in northern France named Saint-Paul or Saint-Pol, for example in Pas-de-Calais, Nord, and Finistère, so called from the dedication of their churches to Saint Paul.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Sample in the United States?
Based on the Decennial U.S. Census data, the popularity of the surname "Sample" saw a slight decline between 2000 and 2010. The rank of this surname dropped from 2885 to 3150, indicating a decrease in popularity of 9.19 percent. However, the actual count of individuals with this surname increased marginally by 0.5 percent, from 11,414 in 2000 to 11,471 in 2010. Also, the proportion per 100,000 people decreased by 8.04 percent, reflecting that while the absolute number might have increased, the relative frequency of this name diminished.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #2,885 | #3,150 | -9.19% |
| Count | 11,414 | 11,471 | 0.5% |
| Proportion per 100k | 4.23 | 3.89 | -8.04% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Sample
The ethnic identity associated with the “Sample” surname varied over the decade as indicated by the Decennial U.S. Census. There was an increase in the number of Asians/Pacific Islanders, those of two or more races, Hispanics, Blacks, and American Indians and Alaskan Natives using the surname. The percentage of Asians/Pacific Islanders and those identifying as two or more races saw a significant rise of 46.67 percent and 47.88 percent respectively. The Hispanic population with the "Sample" surname also witnessed an increase of 38.89 percent. On the other hand, the portion of the White population with the surname witnessed a decrease of 3.59 percent, although it still maintained the majority at 68.43 percent in 2010.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 70.98% | 68.43% | -3.59% |
| Black | 24.56% | 25.25% | 2.81% |
| Hispanic | 1.98% | 2.75% | 38.89% |
| Two or More Races | 1.65% | 2.44% | 47.88% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 0.45% | 0.66% | 46.67% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0.39% | 0.46% | 17.95% |
Sample ancestry composition
23andMe computes an ancestry breakdown for each customer. People may have ancestry from just one population or they may have ancestry from several populations. The most commonly-observed ancestry found in people with the surname Sample is British & Irish, which comprises 51.7% of all ancestry found in people with the surname. The next two most common ancestries are French & German (23.0%) and Eastern European (5.0%). Additional ancestries include Scandinavian, Nigerian, Italian, Spanish & Portuguese, and Indigenous American.
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| ANCESTRY BREAKDOWN | COMPOSITION |
|---|---|
| British & Irish | 51.7% |
| French & German | 23.0% |
| Eastern European | 5.0% |
| Other | 20.4% |
Possible origins of the surname Sample
Your DNA provides clues about where your recent ancestors may have lived. Having many distant relatives in the same location suggests that you may all share common ancestry there. Locations with many distant relatives can also be places where people have migrated recently, such as large cities. If a large number of individuals who share your surname have distant relatives in a specific area, it could indicate a connection between your surname and that location, stemming from either recent ancestral ties or migration.
Based on 23andMe data, people with last name Sample have recent ancestry locations in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Ireland.
| RECENT ANCESTRY Location | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Greater Manchester, United Kingdom | 87.70% |
| Merseyside, United Kingdom | 87.70% |
| Greater London, United Kingdom | 87.70% |
| Glasgow City, United Kingdom | 86.90% |
| Lancashire, United Kingdom | 86.60% |
What Sample haplogroups can tell you
Haplogroups are genetic population groups that share a common ancestor on either your paternal or maternal line. These paternal and maternal haplogroups shed light on your genetic ancestry and help tell the story of your family.
The top paternal haplogroup of people with the surname Sample is R-Z282, which is predominantly found among people with European ancestry. Haplogroup R-Z282 is descended from haplogroup R-M420. Other common haplogroups include R-M417 and R-S7814, which are predominantly found among people with European and European ancestry. Other surnames with similar common haplogroups are: Orr, Ledford, Wasson, Ellington, Morrill, Settle, Steelman, Hanks, Cory, Garnett.
The most common maternal haplogroups of people with Sample surname are: H1, T2b, H. These most commonly trace back to individuals of European ancestry.
Paternal Haplogroup Origins R-M420Your maternal lineage may be linked to Marie Antoinette
Because it is so dominant in the general European population, haplogroup H also appears quite frequently in the continent's royal houses. Marie Antoinette, an Austrian Hapsburg who married into the French royal family, inherited the haplogroup from her maternal ancestors. So did Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, whose recorded genealogy traces his female line to Bavaria. Scientists also discovered that famed 16th century astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus traced his maternal lineages to haplogroup H.
What do people with the surname Sample have in common?
Spoiler alert: it's complicated. People with the same last name are usually no more genetically similar than a randomly sampled group of people from the same population. That said, people with the same surname are more likely to have similar ancestries than randomly sampled individuals. The reason is the tendency of people with similar cultural or geographical backgrounds to preferentially mate with one another. That's why people who share a surname may be more likely to share traits and tendencies in common than people within the general population. Check out the percentages below to see the prevalences of tastes, habits, and traits of people with your surname compared with prevalences among 23andMe users.
Preferences
Chocolate Ice Cream
Prefers chocolate flavored ice cream over other flavors.
"Sample" Surname 40.0%
23andMe Users 41.3%
Traits
Misophonia
When sounds made by others, like the sound of chewing or yawning, provoke strong emotional reactions in an individual.
"Sample" Surname 24.4%
23andMe Users 27.9%
Habits
Sugary Drink
Drinks one or more sugary drinks per day.
"Sample" Surname 24.8%
23andMe Users 21.1%
Wellness
Migraine
A severe headache characterized by intense pain, sensitivity to light and sound, and often accompanied by nausea and vomiting.
"Sample" Surname 15.1%
23andMe Users 16.4%
Are health conditions linked to the last name Sample?
The short answer is that, if there is an association between surname and health, it's usually more about your ancestry than your name. Individuals with a given surname are no more genetically similar than the general population but often have similar ancestries. The populations of people associated with those shared ancestries often have sets of genetic variations, also known as alleles, in common. Some of those alleles are associated with a greater likelihood of developing certain diseases.
Disease variant frequency by ancestry
Disease allele frequencies in populations associated with the surname Sample are shown below. Important Note: not everyone with a disease allele will develop these health condition