Berle
A variant of the German surname Berli, itself derived from a place name.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 171 Americans carry the last name Berle. That puts it at #119,508 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.05 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 2,004,411 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Berle 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
171
1 in 2,004,411
Census rank
#119,508
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
145
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 145 bearers of the surname Berle in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.05 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 119508th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Berle, the largest self-reported group is White at 86.9%. The next largest groups are Two or More Races (6.2%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Berle
The surname BERLE originates from the Gaelic language and can be traced back to the ancient Britons who lived in what is now Scotland and Northern England. It is believed to have been derived from the Old English word "beorh," meaning hill or barrow.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name BERLE can be found in the Domesday Book, a manuscript compiled in 1086 under the orders of William the Conqueror. The name appears as "Berle," referring to a landowner in the county of Wiltshire.
During the Middle Ages, the BERLE surname was prominent in various regions of England, particularly in the northern counties. Several variations of the spelling emerged, including Berley, Burley, and Burleigh, reflecting the regional dialects and pronunciations.
In the 14th century, a notable figure bearing the name BERLE was Sir John Berle, a knight who fought alongside Edward III during the Hundred Years' War. He was born in 1320 and died in 1375.
The BERLE surname also has connections to place names, such as Berley in Derbyshire and Burley in Hampshire. These locations likely contributed to the widespread use of the surname in those areas.
Another prominent individual with the BERLE surname was William Berle, a renowned English scholar and priest who lived from 1460 to 1535. He was known for his contributions to the field of theology and his writings on religious matters.
In Scotland, the BERLE surname was often associated with the Clan MacLaren, a Highland clan with a long and storied history. One notable member of this clan was Alexander Berle, born in 1598, who served as a Scottish soldier and played a role in the Wars of the Three Kingdoms.
As the BERLE surname spread throughout the British Isles, it also found its way to other parts of the world through emigration. In the 17th century, John Berle, born in 1635, was among the early settlers who established the colony of Virginia in the New World.
Another individual of note was Milton Berle, an American comedian and actor who was born in 1908 and died in 2002. He was often referred to as "Mr. Television" and played a significant role in the early days of the medium.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Berle
Among Census respondents with the surname Berle, the largest self-reported group is White at 86.9%. The next largest groups are Two or More Races (6.2%).
The bar chart below shows how Berle 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 Berle surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White86.9%
- Two or more races6.2%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Berle 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 | #119,508 | #119,508 | 0.0% |
| Count | 145 | 145 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.05 | 0.05 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Berle bearers went from 145 to 145 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #119,508 to #119,508.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Berle
FAQ
Berle surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Berle?
The surname Berle holds position #119,508 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 171 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.05 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Berle surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Berle, the largest self-reported group is White at 86.9%. The next largest groups are Two or More Races (6.2%). 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.