This list of Black or African American last names beginning with C is based on the U.S. census in 2010.
We cover surnames where 50% or more holders declared that they were Black.
Of course, many African Americans have surnames that fall below this percentage. We simply use it as a cut-off for this list.
Details Behind The List
The U.S. census of 2010 included a question that asked if the person was Black or another ethnicity (or mix).
Our details include the black percentage in 2010 for each name. The census provides a percentage with two decimal points. We rounded it to a whole number.
We also checked the censuses of 1940 and 1910 for the number of people of each name who were documented as black.
This article uses the terms Black and African American interchangeably.
The public details from the 2010 census do not include nationality so our numbers cannot be exact. Take them as a guide.
Over 70 Black Last Names Starting With C
The surnames are listed in order of how common they are in America.
Each name had over one thousand bearers in the 2010 census.
Charles
The 2010 census had a total of 61,211 people with the last name Charles.
About 52% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 4,383 people named Charles were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 2,427 name holders were documented as black.
Historical figure
It’s debatable whether Ray Charles should be included in this section because his surname was actually Robinson. The great singer’s full name was Ray Charles Robinson.
He was born in 1930 in Georgia. Charles went blind as a boy. His mother worked hard to send him to a school for the blind in Florida.
He played piano in bands from his teenage years, moving around until he settled in Seattle. He was a pioneer of soul through the fifties, writing and arranging songs for Atlantic Records.
Aside from his immortal songs, Charles has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Calloway
The 2010 census had a total of 16,689 people with the last name Calloway.
About 55% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 3,004 people named Calloway were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 1,417 name holders were documented as black.
Historical figure
Cab Calloway was born in 1907 in New York. His mother was a church organist and his father was a lawyer.
His mother disapproved of jazz. She wanted Cab to become a lawyer like his father who had died when the boy was eleven.
Calloway’s older sister Blanche was a bandleader and jazz singer. She was a huge influence on Cab pursuing show business instead of a legal career.
He sang and played drums at clubs in Chicago. Louis Armstrong tutored him in singing scat, and Cab moved to New York where he formed his own band: Cab Callow And His Orchestra.
They got their big break wen Duke Ellington was on tour and Cab’s band was given his slot at the Cotton Club. They were so good, they stayed on.
“Minnie The Moocher” was the breakthrough hit that brought him national and international fame. He and his band made many TV appearances.
His film roles include Stormy Weather, Porgy and Bess, and of course, The Blues Brothers.
Chatman
The 2010 census had a total of 15,473 people with the last name Chatman.
About 79% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 4,002 people named Chatman were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 2,995 name holders were documented as black.
Canty
The 2010 census had a total of 8,047 people with the last name Canty.
About 60% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 1,237 people named Canty were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 755 name holders were documented as black.
Council
The 2010 census had a total of 6,964 people with the last name Council.
About 59% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 1,313 people named Council were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 674 name holders were documented as black.
Conyers
The 2010 census had a total of 6,583 people with the last name Conyers.
About 57% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 1,195 people named Conyers were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 720 name holders were documented as black.
Cobbs
The 2010 census had a total of 6,565 people with the last name Cobbs.
About 71% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 1,414 people named Cobbs were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 971 name holders were documented as black.
Cooks
The 2010 census had a total of 6,157 people with the last name Cooks.
About 88% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 1,461 people named Cooks were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 341 name holders were documented as black.
Capers
The 2010 census had a total of 5,759 people with the last name Capers.
About 79% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 1,296 people named Capers were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 858 name holders were documented as black.
Crayton
The 2010 census had a total of 5,709 people with the last name Crayton.
About 72% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 1,198 people named Crayton were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 435 name holders were documented as black.
Cage
The 2010 census had a total of 5,372 people with the last name Cage.
About 55% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 1,080 people named Cage were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 606 name holders were documented as black.
Cofield
The 2010 census had a total of 5,319 people with the last name Cofield.
About 57% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 937 people named Cofield were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 511 name holders were documented as black.
Claiborne
The 2010 census had a total of 5,201 people with the last name Claiborne.
About 58% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 617 people named Claiborne were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 533 name holders were documented as black.
Coney
The 2010 census had a total of 5,032 people with the last name Coney.
About 64% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 1,076 people named Coney were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 561 name holders were documented as black.
Celestine
The 2010 census had a total of 4,680 people with the last name Celestine.
About 67% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 360 people named Celestine were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 110 name holders were documented as black.
Cadet
The 2010 census had a total of 4,607 people with the last name Cadet.
About 87% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 13 people named Cadet were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 30 name holders were documented as black.
Cureton
The 2010 census had a total of 4,437 people with the last name Cureton.
About 51% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 891 people named Cureton were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 433 name holders were documented as black.
Chisolm
The 2010 census had a total of 4,435 people with the last name Chisolm.
About 71% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 1,106 people named Chisolm were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 820 name holders were documented as black.
Cheeks
The 2010 census had a total of 4,155 people with the last name Cheeks.
About 73% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 814 people named Cheeks were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 343 name holders were documented as black.
Chery
The 2010 census had a total of 4,027 people with the last name Chery.
About 91% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 8 people named Chery were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 92 name holders were documented as black.
Caesar
The 2010 census had a total of 3,628 people with the last name Caesar.
About 59% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 1,291 people named Caesar were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 307 name holders were documented as black.
Caston
The 2010 census had a total of 3,561 people with the last name Caston.
About 54% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 685 people named Caston were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 434 name holders were documented as black.
Charleston
The 2010 census had a total of 3,346 people with the last name Charleston.
About 61% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 686 people named Charleston were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 373 name holders were documented as black.
Clyburn
The 2010 census had a total of 3,145 people with the last name Clyburn.
About 56% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 502 people named Clyburn were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 230 name holders were documented as black.
Cousin
The 2010 census had a total of 3,131 people with the last name Cousin.
About 61% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 627 people named Cousin were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 367 name holders were documented as black.
Celestin
The 2010 census had a total of 3,083 people with the last name Celestin.
About 85% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 279 people named Celestin were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 256 name holders were documented as black.
Ceasar
The 2010 census had a total of 2,694 people with the last name Ceasar. We will see an alternate spelling a little later (Caesar).
About 81% of people with this spelling identified as Black or African American.
158 people named Ceasar were documented as black in the 1910 U.S. census. But in 1940 there were no holders of the name documented as black.
Colquitt
The 2010 census had a total of 2,465 people with the last name Colquitt.
About 50% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 406 people named Colquitt were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 155 name holders were documented as black.
Conerly
The 2010 census had a total of 2,418 people with the last name Conerly.
About 57% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 463 people named Conerly were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 225 name holders were documented as black.
Culbreath
The 2010 census had a total of 2,340 people with the last name Culbreath.
About 58% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 397 people named Culbreath were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 320 name holders were documented as black.
Cromartie
The 2010 census had a total of 2,213 people with the last name Cromartie.
About 79% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 404 people named Cromartie were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 329 name holders were documented as black.
Crudup
The 2010 census had a total of 2,123 people with the last name Crudup.
About 85% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 454 people named Crudup were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 293 name holders were documented as black.
Choice
The 2010 census had a total of 2,114 people with the last name Choice.
About 86% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 860 people named Choice were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 466 name holders were documented as black.
Clinkscales
The 2010 census had a total of 2,035 people with the last name Clinkscales.
About 57% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 472 people named Clinkscales were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 312 name holders were documented as black.
Caver
The 2010 census had a total of 1,975 people with the last name Caver.
About 58% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 400 people named Caver were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 192 name holders were documented as black.
Catchings
The 2010 census had a total of 1,959 people with the last name Catchings.
About 73% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 365 people named Catchings were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 183 name holders were documented as black.
Casimir
The 2010 census had a total of 1,936 people with the last name Casimir.
About 81% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 23 people named Casimir were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 15 name holders were documented as black.
Ceaser
The 2010 census had a total of 1,911 people with the last name Ceaser. This is an alternate spelling to a more common name we saw earlier: Caesar.
About 72% with this spelling identified as Black or African American.
158 people named Ceasar were documented as black in the 1910 U.S. census. But in 1940 there were no holders of the name documented as black.
Clayborne
The 2010 census had a total of 1,905 people with the last name Clayborne.
About 68% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 373 people named Clayborne were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 239 name holders were documented as black.
Copes
The 2010 census had a total of 1,898 people with the last name Copes.
About 50% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 212 people named Copes were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 120 name holders were documented as black.
Cisse
The 2010 census had a total of 1,873 people with the last name Cisse.
About 94% identified as Black or African American.
Nobody of this name was documented as black in the 1900 or 1940 censuses.
Chatmon
The 2010 census had a total of 1,863 people with the last name Chatmon.
About 87% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 267 people named Chatmon were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 145 name holders were documented as black.
Calixte
The 2010 census had a total of 1,862 people with the last name Calixte.
About 93% identified as Black or African American.
Nobody of this name was documented as black in the 1900 or 1940 censuses.
Cowans
The 2010 census had a total of 1,829 people with the last name Cowans.
About 70% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 385 people named Cowans were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 180 name holders were documented as black.
Cephas
The 2010 census had a total of 1,826 people with the last name Cephas.
About 90% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 428 people named Cephas were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 280 name holders were documented as black.
Cuffee
The 2010 census had a total of 1,823 people with the last name Cuffee.
About 86% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 95 people named Cuffee were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 271 name holders were documented as black.
Cumberbatch
The 2010 census had a total of 1,758 people with the last name Cumberbatch.
About 84% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 144 people named Cumberbatch were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 3 name holders were documented as black. Two were born in the West Indies, while one was born in Virginia.
Conteh
The 2010 census had a total of 1,728 people with the last name Conteh.
About 96% identified as Black or African American.
Nobody of this name was documented as black in the 1900 or 1940 censuses.
Custis
The 2010 census had a total of 1,693 people with the last name Custis.
About 52% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 146 people named Custis were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 216 name holders were documented as black.
Cosey
The 2010 census had a total of 1,676 people with the last name Cosey.
About 74% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 333 people named Cosey were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 181 name holders were documented as black.
Carmouche
The 2010 census had a total of 1,639 people with the last name Carmouche.
About 58% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 123 people named Carmouche were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 40 name holders were documented as black.
Charity
The 2010 census had a total of 1,619 people with the last name Charity.
About 69% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 157 people named Charity were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 130 name holders were documented as black.
Coachman
The 2010 census had a total of 1,616 people with the last name Coachman.
About 59% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 315 people named Coachman were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 183 name holders were documented as black.
Cambridge
The 2010 census had a total of 1,602 people with the last name Cambridge.
About 50% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 218 people named Cambridge were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 86 name holders were documented as black.
Cogdell
The 2010 census had a total of 1,574 people with the last name Cogdell.
About 51% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 285 people named Cogdell were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 139 name holders were documented as black.
Cousar
The 2010 census had a total of 1,495 people with the last name Cousar.
About 74% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 234 people named Cousar were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 131 name holders were documented as black.
Cuyler
The 2010 census had a total of 1,477 people with the last name Cuyler.
About 60% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 218 people named Cuyler were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 123 name holders were documented as black.
Crooms
The 2010 census had a total of 1,448 people with the last name Crooms.
About 61% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 318 people named Crooms were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 218 name holders were documented as black.
Cobbins
The 2010 census had a total of 1,387 people with the last name Cobbins.
About 89% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 158 people named Cobbins were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 105 name holders were documented as black.
Cottman
The 2010 census had a total of 1,383 people with the last name Cottman.
About 72% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 444 people named Cottman were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 253 name holders were documented as black.
Citizen
The 2010 census had a total of 1,376 people with the last name Citizen.
About 67% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 142 people named Citizen were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 58 name holders were documented as black.
Charlot
The 2010 census had a total of 1,334 people with the last name Charlot.
About 84% identified as Black or African American.
78 people named Charlot were documented as black in the 1910 U.S. census. But in 1940 there were no holders of the name documented as black.
Colas
The 2010 census had a total of 1,323 people with the last name Colas.
About 59% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 12 people named Colas were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 19 name holders were documented as black.
Credle
The 2010 census had a total of 1,239 people with the last name Credle.
About 63% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 248 people named Credle were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 114 name holders were documented as black.
Coaxum
The 2010 census had a total of 1,228 people with the last name Coaxum.
About 92% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 287 people named Coaxum were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 144 name holders were documented as black.
Corpening
The 2010 census had a total of 1,172 people with the last name Corpening.
About 64% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 235 people named Corpening were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 118 name holders were documented as black.
Carolina
The 2010 census had a total of 1,127 people with the last name Carolina.
About 62% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 269 people named Carolina were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 233 name holders were documented as black.
Ceesay
The 2010 census had a total of 1,110 people with the last name Ceesay.
About 90% identified as Black or African American.
Nobody of this name was documented as black in the 1900 or 1940 censuses.
Casseus
The 2010 census had a total of 1,098 people with the last name Casseus.
About 94% identified as Black or African American.
Nobody of this name was documented as black in the 1900 or 1940 censuses.
Coulibaly
The 2010 census had a total of 1,096 people with the last name Coulibaly.
About 92% identified as Black or African American.
Nobody of this name was documented as black in the 1900 or 1940 censuses.
Cokley
The 2010 census had a total of 1,060 people with the last name Cokley.
About 69% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 149 people named Cokley were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 56 name holders were documented as black.
Camille
The 2010 census had a total of 1,034 people with the last name Camille.
About 64% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 17 people named Camille were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 8 name holders were documented as black. Six were born in Louisiana, one in Mississippi, and one in Oklahoma.