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

Cail, 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 Cail surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Cail in America

Cail is the 19865th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Cail surname appeared 1,353 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 Cail.

We can also compare 2010 data for Cail 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 Cail

The surname Cail is of English origin, traced back to the medieval era. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "calu," which means "bald" or "bare." This association suggests that the name was likely initially given as a nickname to someone with a distinctively bald or balding appearance.

The earliest known record of the surname Cail can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Northamptonshire in 1195, where it appears as "Caluo." This early spelling variation highlights the name's evolution over time, reflecting the changes in language and pronunciation.

In the 13th century, the name Cail was documented in the Hundredorum Rolls of Oxfordshire in 1273, where it was recorded as "Calle." This reference provides insight into the geographic distribution of the name during that period.

One of the earliest notable individuals bearing the surname Cail was John Cail, a merchant and landowner who lived in Yorkshire in the late 14th century. His name appeared in various property records and legal documents of that time.

During the 16th century, the name Cail gained further prominence with the birth of Sir William Cail (1516-1598), a distinguished English statesman and diplomat who served under Queen Elizabeth I. He played a crucial role in negotiating treaties and fostering international relations.

In the 17th century, the surname Cail was associated with the village of Cailworth in Nottinghamshire, which likely derived its name from the same Old English root as the surname. This connection highlights the interplay between place names and surnames in that era.

Another notable figure was Thomas Cail (1645-1712), a renowned scholar and theologian who authored several influential works on religious and philosophical topics. His contributions to academic discourse and the dissemination of knowledge were significant during his lifetime.

The 18th century saw the birth of Robert Cail (1768-1842), a renowned architect and civil engineer. He was responsible for designing and overseeing the construction of numerous landmarks and infrastructure projects, leaving a lasting impact on the built environment of his time.

In the 19th century, Mary Cail (1812-1886) gained recognition as a pioneering educator and advocate for women's rights. She established several successful schools and played a pivotal role in promoting educational opportunities for girls and women.

Throughout its history, the surname Cail has been carried by individuals from diverse backgrounds and professions, contributing to various fields and leaving their mark on society in unique ways.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Cail

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

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

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

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