Last Names

Surnames / B

Buckner

What is the origin of the last name Buckner?

English originOccupational (a trade or role)Rank #1,434 in the US

Meaning and origin

The last name Buckner has its origins in Old English, derived from the occupational surname "buccener," meaning a goat or deer skinner, or one who made buckskin. The word "bucca" referred to a male goat or deer, and "hyrne" meant corner or hide. Over time, the name evolved to Buckner, which became a popular surname among individuals involved in the trade of tanning or leatherworking in medieval England.

The longer story

The last name Buckner is of English origin. The name Buckner is not particularly common, but it still holds significance for those who bear it.

One fact about the last name Buckner is that it is derived from the Middle English word "bukke," meaning male deer or stag. This indicates that the name was originally used to describe someone who lived near or had characteristics associated with deer. The suffix "-er" suggests that the name may have been used to denote a profession or occupation related to deer hunting or management.

Another fact about the last name Buckner is that it has variations in spelling across different regions and periods of history. Some variations include Bucknor, Bucknell, and Bucknall. These variations may have emerged due to differences in pronunciation or dialects over time.

Surname origins are rarely settled: one spelling can have several sources, and families often took a name for reasons nobody wrote down. Check it against the sources below before you rely on it.

#1,434

Buckner was the 1,434th most common surname in the 2010 US Census, with 24,822 people, about 8.0 in every 100,000.

Who carries it

  • White (non-Hispanic)67.4%
  • Hispanic or Latino2.2%
  • Black (non-Hispanic)26.5%
  • Asian or Pacific Islander0.4%
  • Two or more races2.5%
  • American Indian or Alaska Native0.9%

Where it is found

Countries linked to Buckner.

Surnames like Buckner

Names it is linked with, then names with the same origin and a similar standing.

Check the sources

For a name you are serious about, compare the dictionaries: Reaney and Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames; Hanks, Dictionary of American Family Names.