Green Surname

Meaning and origin of the surname Green

Topographic surname derived from Old English grēne, denoting a person who lived beside a village green or grassy commons; also an occupational or pageant nickname.

Historically and linguistically, Green belongs to the English family of surnames. It is conventionally pronounced "GREEN".

United States Census frequency and ranking

In the official 2010 United States Census, Green was recorded 430,182 times, ranking as the 41st most common surname in the nation.

This represents an incidence rate of approximately 145.83 bearers per 100,000 Americans, or roughly 1 out of every 686 residents.

Race and ethnicity distribution

According to official decennial Census genealogy microdata, individuals bearing the surname Greenreported the following racial and ethnic affiliations in the 2010 US Census:

Source: US Census Bureau, 2010 Census Surnames Data. Percentages may not sum to exactly 100% due to independent rounding or suppression of small cell counts for privacy protection.

History of the surname Green

Green originated as an English topographic surname derived from the Old English adjective grēne ('green', 'flourishing'). It was used to identify an individual whose dwelling was situated adjacent to the village green—the communal grass pasture or lawn at the center of medieval English agricultural settlements where villagers gathered and grazed livestock.

Additionally, the name occasionally originated as a seasonal nickname for an individual who played the role of the 'Green Man' or 'Jack-in-the-Green' in traditional English May Day festivities, or someone renowned for dressing in bright green garments. Early documentary records include Geoffrey de la Grene in the Hundred Rolls of Norfolk in 1273.

The surname was established in New England and Virginia during the early seventeenth century, achieving patriotic fame through Revolutionary War Major General Nathanael Greene (1742–1786), George Washington's most trusted military commander. In the 2010 US Census, Green ranked 41st nationwide with 430,182 recorded bearers (145.83 per 100,000 Americans).

Notable people with the surname Green

• Al Green (1946–), American soul singer, songwriter, and record producer
• Draymond Green (1990–), American NBA basketball champion
• Hank Green (1980–), American science communicator, author, and vlogger
• Seth Green (1974–), American actor, producer, and voice actor