Search 1950 US Census & Historical Records for "Taylor"
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Taylor
Meaning: Cutter of cloth, tailor
Ancestral homeland: England / United States (Europe (Western & Northern)). Starting letter: T.
The surname "Taylor" is of English origin, meaning "Cutter of cloth, tailor". In the United States, it ranks #17 in frequency with an estimated 751,000 individuals, predominantly living in California, Texas, Florida. Historically, An occupational surname derived from Old French "tailleur" (to cut), introduced to England after the Norman Conquest of 1066.
Historical Roots & Etymology
An occupational surname derived from Old French "tailleur" (to cut), introduced to England after the Norman Conquest of 1066. Second most frequent surname across the English-speaking world.
As an Occupational surname, the patronymic or occupational title reflects cultural traditions preserved across centuries. Ancient parish registers, civil census returns, and municipal tax rolls document early branches of the Taylor family adapting their spelling and pronunciation across migrations.
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How Common is the Surname Taylor in the US?
#17
Top US Surnames751,000
American residents2255.3
per 1 Million people+14.2%
US Census cycleTop US States by Taylor Population Density % of all US bearers
American Immigration Manifests & Ports of Arrival
Immigration records at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) trace primary waves of Taylor families arriving in the United States during the English & Scottish Colonial Settlements.
Global Geographic Distribution & Diaspora
Historical records trace prominent lineages of the Taylor family across these major worldwide regions:
Notable Historical Figures & Bearers of "Taylor"
Celebrated individuals carrying the surname Taylor with distinction across civic governance, literature, science, and industry:
Historical Spelling Variants
Before standardized spelling conventions in the 19th century, civil census enumerators recorded multiple phonetically related variants:
Frequently Asked Questions about Taylor
Expert answers to common questions about names, origins, and naming traditions
The surname Taylor originates from English heritage and traditionally translates to "Cutter of cloth, tailor". Historically, it was adopted as an occupational marker to signify clan lineage, professional craft, or geographic homeland.
According to United States Census Bureau records, Taylor ranks as the #17 most common surname in America, carried by an estimated 751,000 people (2255.3 occurrences per million residents). The highest concentrations are found in California (12.5%), Texas (10.8%), Florida (8.4%), New York (7.9%), Pennsylvania (6.2%).
Major waves of families carrying the name Taylor arrived in North America during the English & Scottish Colonial Settlements. The primary historical ports of entry recorded in immigration manifests include Jamestown, Boston, New York.
Notable individuals with the surname Taylor include Taylor Swift (Global Pop Icon), Elizabeth Taylor (Hollywood Icon), Zachary Taylor (12th US President), recognized for their contributions in history, governance, arts, and science.
Recorded historical spelling variations and regional cognates of Taylor include Tailor, Tayler.
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Surname Fast Facts
- Origin / Demonym
- English
- Ancestral Nation
- 🏴 England / United States
- Classification
- Occupational
- US Frequency Rank
- #17
- Est. US Population
- ~751,000
- Primary US State
- California
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