Crystal
A surname derived from the English word for the clear, transparent mineral, likely referring to a crystalline appearance or personality.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 2,296 Americans carry the last name Crystal. That puts it at #14,878 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.67 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 149,283 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Crystal 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
2.3K
1 in 149,283
Census rank
#14,878
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.7
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
2.0K
rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 1,989 bearers of the surname Crystal in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.67 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 14878th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Crystal, the largest self-reported group is White at 82.7%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (5.9%) and Black (4.7%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Crystal
The surname Crystal is of English origin and dates back to the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "cryssel" or the Old French word "crissal," both of which referred to a type of fine, transparent glass. This suggests that the name may have initially been an occupational surname given to someone who worked with glass or crystals, such as a glassblower or a crystal cutter.
The earliest known record of the surname Crystal can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire from 1273, where a person named John Cristal is mentioned. Over the following centuries, various spellings of the name emerged, including Cristall, Cristell, and Cristyll.
In the 14th century, the surname Crystal appeared in the records of the Worshipful Company of Glaziers in London, an organization that regulated the glazing trade. This further supports the theory that the name was initially associated with glasswork or crystal craftsmanship.
One notable figure with the surname Crystal was Sir William Crystal, born in 1564 in Essex, England. He was a renowned explorer and navigator who accompanied Sir Walter Raleigh on several expeditions to the Americas. Another prominent individual was Thomas Crystal, born in 1635 in Gloucestershire, who was a prominent architect and helped design several churches and public buildings in London during the 17th century.
In the 18th century, the surname Crystal can be found in various parish records across England, particularly in the counties of Essex, Suffolk, and Gloucestershire. One notable bearer of the name during this time was John Crystal, born in 1712 in Suffolk, who was a respected author and scholar known for his work on ancient Greek literature.
The 19th century saw the surname Crystal spread to other parts of the world, including North America and Australia, as many families emigrated from England. One prominent figure was Edward Crystal, born in 1845 in London, who was a successful businessman and philanthropist in New York City.
Throughout its history, the surname Crystal has been associated with various occupations, including glasswork, architecture, exploration, and academia. While not an extremely common surname, it has left a notable mark in various fields and regions around the world.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Crystal
Among Census respondents with the surname Crystal, the largest self-reported group is White at 82.7%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (5.9%) and Black (4.7%).
The bar chart below shows how Crystal 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 Crystal surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White82.7%
- Hispanic or Latino5.9%
- Black or African American4.7%
- Asian and Pacific Islander4.0%
- Two or more races2.1%
- American Indian and Alaska Native0.7%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Crystal 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 | #14,064 | #14,878 | -5.8% |
| Count | 1,965 | 1,989 | 1.2% |
| Per 100K | 0.73 | 0.67 | -8.2% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Crystal bearers went from 1,965 to 1,989 (+1.2% change). The surname moved down 814 positions in the national ranking, going from #14,064 to #14,878.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Crystal
FAQ
Crystal surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Crystal?
The surname Crystal holds position #14,878 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 2,296 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.67 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Crystal surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Crystal, the largest self-reported group is White at 82.7%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (5.9%) and Black (4.7%). 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.