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

Ellens, 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 Ellens surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Ellens in America

Ellens is the 56444th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Ellens surname appeared 362 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 Ellens.

We can also compare 2010 data for Ellens 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 Ellens

The surname Ellens is of English origin, with its roots traceable back to the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Old English personal name Ællen or Ælfwine, which translates to "elf friend" or "elf companion." These names were prevalent in Anglo-Saxon England and were often bestowed upon individuals who were regarded as being closely connected to nature or possessing a strong spiritual affinity.

The earliest recorded instances of the Ellens surname can be found in various historical documents from the 13th and 14th centuries. One notable mention appears in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273, where a certain Robert Ellens is listed as a resident of Norfolk. Another early record is found in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire, dated 1327, which references a John Ellens as a taxpayer in the region.

During the medieval era, the name Ellens was primarily concentrated in the counties of Norfolk, Suffolk, and Worcestershire, where it was often associated with landowners and individuals of modest means. However, as time progressed, the surname spread across various regions of England, with some families establishing notable lineages.

One such family was the Ellens of Staffordshire, whose ancestral home was located in the village of Ellenhall. This place name, derived from the Old English words "Ællen" and "halh" (meaning nook or corner), further reinforces the connection between the surname and its ancient origins.

Among the notable individuals who bore the Ellens surname throughout history are:

1. Sir John Ellens (c. 1520-1592), a prominent English politician and landowner who served as a Member of Parliament during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.

2. Richard Ellens (c. 1570-1634), an English clergyman and author who published several theological works during the early 17th century.

3. Margaret Ellens (c. 1640-1705), a renowned herbalist and healer from Suffolk, whose knowledge of medicinal plants was widely sought after in her community.

4. Thomas Ellens (1685-1761), a successful merchant and ship owner from Bristol, who played a significant role in the city's thriving maritime trade during the 18th century.

5. William Ellens (1776-1842), a respected architect and surveyor who contributed to the design and construction of several notable buildings in London, including St. Pancras Church.

While the Ellens surname has undergone various spelling variations over the centuries, such as Ellens, Ellins, and Ellyns, its core meaning and connection to the ancient Anglo-Saxon heritage have remained intact. This rich tapestry of history and cultural significance continues to imbue the name with a sense of pride and identity for those who bear it today.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Ellens

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

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

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

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