Counsell
An English occupational surname derived from the word "counsel", referring to someone who provided advice or counsel.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 548 Americans carry the last name Counsell. That puts it at #46,138 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.16 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 625,464 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Counsell 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
548
1 in 625,464
Census rank
#46,138
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.2
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
462
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 462 bearers of the surname Counsell in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.16 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 46138th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Counsell, the largest self-reported group is White at 92.0%. The next largest groups are Black (4.8%) and Hispanic (1.7%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Counsell
The surname COUNSELL is of English origin, derived from the Old French word 'conseil', meaning counsel or advice. It is an occupational surname that was initially given to those who served as counselors or advisers, often in a legal or administrative capacity.
The name can be traced back to the 12th century, with early recordings found in various medieval records and documents. One of the earliest known bearers of the name was William Counsell, who was mentioned in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire in 1199.
During the 13th century, the name appeared in various forms, such as Counseil, Cunseil, and Cunsail, reflecting the variations in spelling and pronunciation at the time. In the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire, dated 1273, there is a record of a Robert Cunseil.
As the surname spread across England, it became associated with certain localities, leading to the formation of place-names like Counsell's Green in Oxfordshire and Counsell's Farm in Gloucestershire.
Notable individuals bearing the COUNSELL surname include Sir John Counsell (1568-1638), an English lawyer and politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Taunton during the reign of King James I. Another prominent figure was Thomas Counsell (1727-1789), a renowned architect who designed several churches and buildings in Bath and Bristol.
In the 18th century, the name gained recognition through the work of Edward Counsell (1740-1819), a renowned engraver and illustrator whose prints and etchings captured the landscapes and architectural wonders of England.
During the 19th century, William Counsell (1806-1873) made significant contributions to the field of engineering, working on various railway projects and serving as the Chief Engineer of the London and North Western Railway.
Another notable figure was Henry Counsell (1854-1932), a British military officer who served in the Boer War and World War I, earning several decorations for his bravery and leadership.
Throughout its history, the COUNSELL surname has been associated with individuals from various professions, including law, architecture, engineering, and the military, reflecting the diverse backgrounds of those who bore this occupational name.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Counsell
Among Census respondents with the surname Counsell, the largest self-reported group is White at 92.0%. The next largest groups are Black (4.8%) and Hispanic (1.7%).
The bar chart below shows how Counsell 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 Counsell surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White92.0%
- Black or African American4.8%
- Hispanic or Latino1.7%
- Unknown or suppressed1.5%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Counsell 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 | #46,000 | #46,138 | -0.3% |
| Count | 437 | 462 | 5.7% |
| Per 100K | 0.16 | 0.16 | 0.0% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Counsell bearers went from 437 to 462 (+5.7% change). The surname moved down 138 positions in the national ranking, going from #46,000 to #46,138.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Counsell
FAQ
Counsell surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Counsell?
The surname Counsell holds position #46,138 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 548 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.16 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Counsell surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Counsell, the largest self-reported group is White at 92.0%. The next largest groups are Black (4.8%) and Hispanic (1.7%). 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.