Botel last name popularity, history, and meaning

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

Meaning of Botel

A locational surname derived from a place name referring to an inn or hotel.

Botel, 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 Botel surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Botel in America

Botel is the 144908th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Botel surname appeared 105 times in the 2000 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Botel.

The history of the last name Botel

The surname Botel traces its origin to France, with historical records indicating its emergence in the early medieval period, around the 12th century. This surname is rooted in regions such as Normandy and Brittany, areas known for their complex interplay between Celtic and Latin linguistic elements. Botel is believed to be derived from the Old French word "bouteillier," which means "butler" or "cup-bearer," a noble profession in medieval households responsible for the wine cellar and the wine service. Similar spellings in medieval manuscripts include Boutel and Bottell, reflecting the fluidity of medieval orthography.

One of the earliest historical references to the name Botel appears in a 13th-century Norman tax record, which lists a Guillemus Botelholding a parcel of land. This indicates that the name Botel was associated with land ownership and some degree of nobility or important service in feudal society. Another early reference can be found in a 14th-century Breton manuscript that mentions a Pierre Botel, a scribe who served a local lord, highlighting the name's association with stewardship roles and literate professions during the medieval period.

The earliest recorded examples of the surname Botel in England appear in the aftermath of the Norman Conquest of 1066. A notable entry is found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which lists a Ricardus Botel as a tenant-in-chief under William the Conqueror. This suggests that the name was carried over by Norman settlers and integrated into the Anglo-Norman aristocracy. Variants such as Botele and Botelle are also seen in subsequent English records, signifying its spread and adaptation over time.

Sir Hugh Botel (circa 1320-1387) is a prominent figure who carried the surname. He was a knight during the Hundred Years' War and was noted for his military service under King Edward III. Another illustrious individual is Jehan Botel, a 15th-century French poet and troubadour whose lyrical compositions gained him fame in the court of Charles VII.

The 16th century brought forth Edward Botel (1492-1558), an English merchant known for his extensive trade routes between England and the Low Countries, contributing to the burgeoning European commercial exchange. In the 18th century, Marie Botel (1731-1795), a renowned French weaver, left a mark on the textile industry in Lyon with her innovative weaving techniques that significantly advanced the craft.

In summary, the surname Botel has a rich history tied to France and later England, evolving from noble and stewardly origins to noteworthy contributions in various spheres of medieval and early modern society. Its bearers have been knights, poets, merchants, and artisans, reflecting a diverse heritage and enduring legacy across centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Botel

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

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 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Botel was:

Race/Ethnicity Percentage Total Occurrences
Non-Hispanic White Only 96.19% 101
Non-Hispanic Black Only 0.00% 0
Non-Hispanic Asian and Pacific Islander Only (S)% (S)
Non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaskan Native 0.00% 0
Non-Hispanic of Two or More Races 0.00% 0
Hispanic Origin (S)% (S)

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.

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 Botel was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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"Botel last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on June 9, 2025. http://namecensus.com/last-names/botel-surname-popularity/.

"Botel last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/last-names/botel-surname-popularity/. Accessed 9 June, 2025

Botel last name popularity, history, and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/last-names/botel-surname-popularity/.

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