Amiel
A surname of uncertain origin, possibly from a French place name or pet form of Hebrew names.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 377 Americans carry the last name Amiel. That puts it at #62,045 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.11 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 909,163 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Amiel 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
377
1 in 909,163
Census rank
#62,045
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
323
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 323 bearers of the surname Amiel in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.11 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 62045th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Amiel, the largest self-reported group is White at 74.9%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (18.3%) and Black (5.0%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Amiel
The surname AMIEL is of French origin, deriving from the Latin personal name Aemilius. It emerged in the early medieval period, with some of the earliest recorded instances found in regions like Normandy and Île-de-France.
The name is believed to have its roots in the Roman family name Aemilius, which was derived from the Latin word "aemulus," meaning "rival" or "competitor." This suggests that the original bearers of the name may have been associated with a competitive or ambitious spirit.
In the 11th century, the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of England commissioned by William the Conqueror, contains mentions of individuals with variations of the name, such as Amiell and Amiel. These entries indicate the presence of people with this surname in England shortly after the Norman Conquest.
One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname AMIEL was Jean Amiel, a French poet and theologian born in the late 13th century in Provence. He is known for his works on theology and philosophy, which reflected the intellectual climate of the time.
Another notable figure was Henri Amiel, a Swiss philosopher and poet born in 1821. He is best known for his intimate journal, which provides insights into his thoughts and inner life. His journal entries have been widely published and studied, making him a significant figure in the literary world of the 19th century.
In the 16th century, the name AMIEL was associated with several notable figures in the French Protestant movement. For instance, Jacques Amiel, born around 1550 in Montpellier, was a prominent Huguenot minister and theologian who played a role in the religious conflicts of that era.
Moving forward, André Amiel, a French writer and journalist born in 1909, gained recognition for his works on literature and culture. His contributions to the literary scene in the mid-20th century earned him a place among the notable figures with this surname.
Finally, Henri Amiel, a Swiss composer and pianist born in 1957, has gained international acclaim for his compositions and performances. His works have been performed by renowned orchestras and ensembles, cementing his place in the world of contemporary classical music.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Amiel
Among Census respondents with the surname Amiel, the largest self-reported group is White at 74.9%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (18.3%) and Black (5.0%).
The bar chart below shows how Amiel 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 Amiel surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White74.9%
- Hispanic or Latino18.3%
- Black or African American5.0%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Amiel 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 | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #62,045 | #62,045 | 0.0% |
| Count | 323 | 323 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.11 | 0.11 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Amiel bearers went from 323 to 323 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #62,045 to #62,045.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Amiel
FAQ
Amiel surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Amiel?
The surname Amiel holds position #62,045 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 377 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.11 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Amiel surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Amiel, the largest self-reported group is White at 74.9%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (18.3%) and Black (5.0%). 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.