Cantrell
An English occupational surname derived from the Old French "chanterelle," referring to a singer or chorister.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 40,993 Americans carry the last name Cantrell. That puts it at #988 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 11.96 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 8,361 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Cantrell 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
41K
1 in 8,361
Census rank
#988
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
12.0
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
35K
uncommon in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 35,266 bearers of the surname Cantrell in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 11.96 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 988th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Cantrell, the largest self-reported group is White at 89.7%. The next largest groups are Black (4.7%) and Hispanic (2.1%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Cantrell
The surname Cantrell is of English origin, tracing its roots back to the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Old English words "cantel" or "cantref," which referred to a division of land or a hundred in certain parts of Britain.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name dates back to the 13th century, appearing in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire in 1273 as "William de Cantrelau." This entry suggests that the name may have been connected to a specific location or place name.
Historically, the Cantrell surname has been associated with various regions in England, particularly the counties of Yorkshire, Lancashire, and Cheshire. It is likely that the name originated as a descriptive term referring to someone who lived in or near a specific "cantref" or hundred.
In the 14th century, the name appeared in the Subsidy Rolls of Lancashire in 1332, recorded as "Robertus de Cantrell." This record provides evidence of the name's presence in the region during that time period.
One notable figure bearing the Cantrell surname was Sir Robert Cantrell (c. 1370-1443), a prominent English politician and knight who served as a Member of Parliament for Lancashire. He played a significant role in the Wars of the Roses, supporting the House of Lancaster.
Another historical figure was Thomas Cantrell (1575-1647), an English clergyman and theologian who served as the Bishop of Killala and Achonry in Ireland. He was known for his writings on religious matters during the early 17th century.
In the literary realm, Geoffrey Cantrell (1849-1935) was an English author and poet who wrote several works, including "The Bacchanal" and "The Poems of Geoffrey Cantrell."
The name Cantrell has also been associated with notable individuals in the United States, such as James Cantrell (1804-1887), a prominent lawyer and judge from Kentucky, and Charles Cantrell (1906-1983), an American actor known for his roles in Western films.
While the Cantrell surname has its roots in England, it has spread to other parts of the world through migration and immigration. Over time, various spellings and variations of the name have emerged, including Cantrell, Cantrill, and Cantrell, reflecting the linguistic and cultural influences of different regions.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Cantrell
Among Census respondents with the surname Cantrell, the largest self-reported group is White at 89.7%. The next largest groups are Black (4.7%) and Hispanic (2.1%).
The bar chart below shows how Cantrell 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 Cantrell surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White89.7%
- Black or African American4.7%
- Hispanic or Latino2.1%
- Two or more races1.9%
- American Indian and Alaska Native1.2%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.5%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Cantrell 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 | 2000 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #920 | #988 | -7.4% |
| Count | 34,674 | 35,266 | 1.7% |
| Per 100K | 12.85 | 11.96 | -6.9% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Cantrell bearers went from 34,674 to 35,266 (+1.7% change). The surname moved down 68 positions in the national ranking, going from #920 to #988.
FAQ
Cantrell surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Cantrell?
The surname Cantrell holds position #988 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 40,993 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 11.96 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Cantrell surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Cantrell, the largest self-reported group is White at 89.7%. The next largest groups are Black (4.7%) and Hispanic (2.1%). 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.