Explore the Family Name Stair
The meaning of Stair
English: topographic name from Middle English steir(e), ste(i)gher ‘stair, flight of steps, ladder’, also (in Kent and Sussex) ‘ascent, rising ground’ (Old English stæger), used for someone who lived by a ladder or steps, or on rising ground.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Stair in the United States?
The surname Stair saw a slight decrease in popularity according to the Decennial U.S. Census data. In 2000, it was ranked as the 11,879th most popular surname, but by 2010, its rank had slipped to 12,328, marking a decrease of 3.78 percent. Despite this decline in ranking, the actual number of individuals with the surname increased from 2,413 in 2000 to 2,522 in 2010, a rise of 4.52 percent. However, when considering the proportion per 100,000 people, there was a decrease of 4.49 percent.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #11,879 | #12,328 | -3.78% |
| Count | 2,413 | 2,522 | 4.52% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.89 | 0.85 | -4.49% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Stair
On the ethnic identity front, the Decennial U.S. Census data shows that between 2000 and 2010, there were notable changes in the distribution of the Stair surname among different ethnic groups. Those identifying as Asian/Pacific Islander saw a significant increase, from 0.29 percent in 2000 to 0.63 percent in 2010, an impressive change of 117.24 percent. Individuals identifying as having two or more races grew from 1.12 percent to 1.35 percent. The population of Stairs identifying as White decreased slightly from 93.87 percent to 91.63 percent. There was a growth in the Hispanic representation, increasing from 1.86 percent to 2.62 percent. The Black community also saw an increase, from 2.65 percent in 2000 to 3.41 percent in 2010. Lastly, the American Indian and Alaskan Native representation also saw substantial growth, although starting from a small base, from 0.21 percent in 2000 to 0.36 percent in 2010.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 93.87% | 91.63% | -2.39% |
| Black | 2.65% | 3.41% | 28.68% |
| Hispanic | 1.86% | 2.62% | 40.86% |
| Two or More Races | 1.12% | 1.35% | 20.54% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 0.29% | 0.63% | 117.24% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0.21% | 0.36% | 71.43% |