{"id":55287,"date":"2020-01-10T10:27:14","date_gmt":"2020-01-10T15:27:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.genealogybank.com\/?p=55287"},"modified":"2021-04-27T10:11:02","modified_gmt":"2021-04-27T14:11:02","slug":"common-african-american-last-names-their-meanings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.genealogybank.com\/blog\/common-african-american-last-names-their-meanings.html","title":{"rendered":"Common African American Last Names & Their Meanings"},"content":{"rendered":"

Have you ever wondered what the most common African American last names are? If so, it might fascinate you to know that Washington, the last name of our first president, is currently one of the most common African American surnames in existence. If you\u2019re here to uncover the meaning and origin of popular African American last names, then you\u2019ve come to the right place. To understand these common surnames, we must take a look at African American ancestry<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s dive in!<\/p>\n

Washington<\/strong><\/p>\n

In the 2000 U.S. Census, America counted more than 160,000 people with the surname Washington. Of this population, 90 percent of them were African American. To understand exactly why this surname has mustered its popularity, one must take a look into the darker layers of America\u2019s history. As you\u2019ve likely guessed, what we\u2019re talking about is slavery.<\/p>\n

\"Photo:<\/a>
Photo: Booker T. Washington, by Frances Benjamin Johnston, c. 1895. Credit: Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Origin<\/strong><\/p>\n

When it comes to dissecting the meaning behind African American surnames, the catalyst will always be slavery \u2013 or the lack thereof. Remember, once the Civil War was over, all African Americans were given a piece of humanity by way of a surname. Many chose their own, either copying another or creating one, however they saw fit.<\/p>\n

Interestingly enough, the idea that slaves bore the surnames of their masters is a bit mythical. Very few had their master\u2019s last name, and fewer chose to claim it once they were given their freedom. In which case, why would they choose the name Washington? A few theories:<\/p>\n