Find out how popular the last name Birl is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Birl.

Birl, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Birl surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Birl in America

Birl is the 102688th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Birl surname appeared 175 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Birl.

We can also compare 2010 data for Birl to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Birl

The surname BIRL is of English origin, with roots that can be traced back to the 13th century. It is believed to have originated from the Old English word "byrl," which meant a small child or a young person. This term may have been used as a nickname or a descriptive surname for someone who was of small stature or youthful appearance.

The earliest recorded instance of the surname BIRL can be found in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire, dated 1275, where a person named Richard Birl is mentioned. This suggests that the name was already established in the West Midlands region of England during that time period.

In the 14th century, the surname BIRL appeared in various historical records, including the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire in 1379, where a John Byrlle is listed. This variation in spelling was common during that era, as surnames were often adapted based on local dialects and scribal interpretations.

The BIRL surname has also been linked to certain place names, such as Byrl's Green in Oxfordshire, which was recorded in the 16th century. This connection suggests that some individuals may have adopted the surname based on their place of origin or residence.

One notable individual bearing the BIRL surname was Sir John Birl, a merchant and alderman who lived in London during the 15th century. He played a significant role in the city's trade and governance, serving as the Lord Mayor of London in 1477.

Another prominent figure was William Birl, a renowned clockmaker who lived in the 17th century. He was responsible for creating several intricate timepieces, some of which are still on display in museums today.

In the 18th century, the BIRL surname gained recognition through the works of poet and playwright Thomas Birl, who was born in 1715 and is known for his satirical writings.

During the 19th century, a notable figure was James Birl, a pioneering engineer and inventor. He made significant contributions to the development of steam power and held several patents for his innovations in the field of locomotion.

The BIRL surname also found its way into the literary world with the works of author and journalist Mary Birl, who was born in 1845 and published several novels and articles exploring social issues of her time.

These examples showcase the diverse backgrounds and accomplishments of individuals who have carried the BIRL surname throughout history, spanning various professions and geographical locations.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Birl

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Birl.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Birl was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Birl has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Birl was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Birl, please contact us.

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