Algar
An English surname originating from an Old Norse personal name meaning "elf army".
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 206 Americans carry the last name Algar. That puts it at #107,134 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.06 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 1,663,856 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Algar surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
206
1 in 1,663,856
Census rank
#107,134
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
166
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 166 bearers of the surname Algar in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.06 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 107134th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Algar, the largest self-reported group is White at 87.3%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (6.6%) and Two or More Races (3.6%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Algar
The surname Algar has its origins in England, tracing back to the Anglo-Saxon era. It is derived from the Old English personal name "Ælgær," which is composed of the elements "ael," meaning "elf," and "gær," meaning "spear." This name likely referred to a person who was skilled with a spear or was known for their prowess in battle.
The Algar surname can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, a comprehensive record of landholders in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. This suggests that the name was already in use during the late 11th century.
One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname Algar was Richard Algar, who lived in Wiltshire, England, during the 13th century. Another early bearer of the name was John Algar, who was mentioned in the Subsidy Rolls of Suffolk in 1327.
The surname Algar is also associated with various place names in England, such as Algarkirk, a village in Lincolnshire, which was recorded as "Algare" in the Domesday Book. This place name likely refers to an early settler or landowner with the Algar name.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the surname Algar:
1. Sir Thomas Algar (1565-1636), an English lawyer and politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Wigan.
2. John Algar (1737-1807), an English clergyman and mathematician who served as the Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at the University of Cambridge.
3. William Algar (1824-1899), a British architect known for designing several churches and public buildings in Staffordshire.
4. Richard Algar (1876-1955), a British trade unionist and politician who served as the General Secretary of the National Union of Foundry Workers.
5. Joan Algar (1899-1972), an English artist and painter known for her landscapes and portraiture.
The Algar surname has endured through the centuries, with its roots firmly planted in the Anglo-Saxon heritage of England. Its meaning and associations with spear-wielding warriors and place names have contributed to the rich tapestry of English surnames.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Algar
Among Census respondents with the surname Algar, the largest self-reported group is White at 87.3%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (6.6%) and Two or More Races (3.6%).
The bar chart below shows how Algar bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Algar surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White87.3%
- Hispanic or Latino6.6%
- Two or more races3.6%
- Unknown or suppressed2.4%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Algar surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2000 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #89,895 | #107,134 | -19.2% |
| Count | 191 | 166 | -13.1% |
| Per 100K | 0.07 | 0.06 | -14.3% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Algar bearers went from 191 to 166 (-13.1% change). The surname moved down 17,239 positions in the national ranking, going from #89,895 to #107,134.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Algar
FAQ
Algar surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Algar?
The surname Algar holds position #107,134 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 206 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.06 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Algar surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Algar, the largest self-reported group is White at 87.3%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (6.6%) and Two or More Races (3.6%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.