Explore the Family Name Saw
The meaning of Saw
1. English (Buckinghamshire and Middlesex): nickname either for a sawyer or for someone who made or sold saws, from Middle English sau(e) ‘saw’ (Old English sagu). Compare Sawyer. 2. Indian (Uttar Pradesh): Vaishya name, from an altered form of Sanskrit sadhu ‘gentle, good, honest’. Compare Sahu, Sawh. 3. Burmese: from a personal name usually forming part of a compound name, from saw ‘honourable’. — Note: Since Burmese do not have hereditary surnames, this name was registered as such only after immigration of its bearers to the US. 4. As a surname of Burmese origin possibly also from a Karen form of address for an adult man, similar to English ‘mister’. — Note: This title is not used as a personal name in Burma, but in the US it might have been in some cases registered (or counted in the census data) as a surname. 5. Chinese: variant Romanization of the surname 蕭 (or 肖), see Xiao. 6. Chinese: variant Romanization of the surname 蘇, see Su 1.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Saw in the United States?
The surname "Saw" has experienced a significant increase in popularity between the years 2000 and 2010, according to data from the Decennial U.S. Census. In 2000, it was ranked as the 48,196th most common surname, but by 2010, it had jumped to the rank of 33,121 – an impressive 31.28% change. The count of individuals with this surname also increased from 412 in 2000 to 691 in 2010, marking a 67.72% rise. Consequently, the proportion per 100,000 people bearing the surname "Saw" increased from 0.15 to 0.23, a 53.33% change.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #48,196 | #33,121 | 31.28% |
| Count | 412 | 691 | 67.72% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.15 | 0.23 | 53.33% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Saw
In terms of ethnicity, the Decennial U.S. Census data reveals that the highest percentage of the "Saw" surname is associated with the Asian/Pacific Islander ethnic identity. This share grew from 75.49% in 2000 to 80.75% in 2010, a 6.97% increase. Additionally, those identifying with two or more races increased from 1.70% to 2.46%. However, the proportion of white individuals with this surname saw a decrease of 27.05%, going from 18.45% to 13.46%. Meanwhile, those identifying as black also decreased from 3.40% to 1.88%. No individuals with the "Saw" surname identified as Hispanic or American Indian and Alaskan Native during these years.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 75.49% | 80.75% | 6.97% |
| White | 18.45% | 13.46% | -27.05% |
| Two or More Races | 1.7% | 2.46% | 44.71% |
| Black | 3.4% | 1.88% | -44.71% |
| Hispanic | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0% | 0% | 0% |