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

Eccles, 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 Eccles surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Eccles in America

Eccles is the 10036th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Eccles surname appeared 3,209 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Eccles.

We can also compare 2010 data for Eccles 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 Eccles

The surname Eccles originated in England and dates back to the medieval period. The name is derived from the Old English word "hecce," meaning "hedge," and the suffix "ley," meaning "clearing" or "field." This suggests that the name may have originated from someone who lived near a hedge or clearing.

The earliest recorded instance of the surname Eccles can be traced back to the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "de Eckeles" in Lancashire. This entry refers to a place name, indicating that the surname may have been adopted by someone residing in or near the town of Eccles.

In the 13th century, the name appeared in various forms, such as "de Eccles," "de Ekeles," and "de Eckeles," reflecting the variations in spelling and pronunciation during that time. The town of Eccles itself is believed to have been named after a Saxon chieftain named "Ecca," further reinforcing the connection between the surname and the place name.

One of the earliest known individuals with the surname Eccles was John de Eccles, who lived in Lancashire in the late 13th century. Another notable figure was Robert de Eccles, a clergyman who served as the Archdeacon of Chester in the early 14th century.

In the 15th century, the surname appeared in records as "Eccles" without the prefix "de." Henry Eccles, born around 1450 in Lancashire, was a prominent figure during this period. He was a merchant and landowner who played a significant role in the local community.

During the 16th century, the surname Eccles became more widespread across England. One notable individual was Solomon Eccles, a renowned composer and musician who lived from 1618 to 1683. He served as the court musician to King Charles II and contributed significantly to the development of English baroque music.

Another famous bearer of the surname Eccles was Sir John Eccles, a renowned architect born in 1668. He was responsible for designing several notable buildings, including the Queen's House in Greenwich and the Radcliffe Camera in Oxford.

Throughout history, the surname Eccles has been associated with various professions and fields, including music, architecture, clergy, and trade. The name's origins and connections to place names in England have contributed to its enduring legacy and historical significance.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Eccles

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

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

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

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