Ellie
A regional surname of English origin referring to a highland or meadow area.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 240 Americans carry the last name Ellie. That puts it at #91,981 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.07 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 1,428,143 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Ellie 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
240
1 in 1,428,143
Census rank
#91,981
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
200
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 200 bearers of the surname Ellie in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.07 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 91981st position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Ellie, the largest self-reported group is White at 74.0%. The next largest groups are Black (17.5%) and Asian/Pacific Islander (3.5%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Ellie
The surname Ellie is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period, likely derived from the Old English word "ælf," meaning "elf" or "supernatural being." It was initially used as a nickname or descriptive name for someone who possessed elfin or otherworldly qualities or characteristics.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Ellie can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Aelfric" or "Aelfwine." This suggests that the name was already in use during the 11th century in various regions of England.
Throughout the Middle Ages, the name underwent several spelling variations, including "Elfe," "Elff," and "Ellys," reflecting the evolving nature of English language and local dialects. These variations were often influenced by regional accents and scribal errors in record-keeping.
In the 14th century, the name Ellie appeared in the Hundred Rolls, a census-like record compiled in England between 1273 and 1276. This document mentions individuals with the surname Ellie residing in various counties, such as Oxfordshire, Warwickshire, and Gloucestershire.
One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname Ellie was Robert Ellie, who lived in Gloucestershire in the late 13th century. Another notable figure was Sir John Ellie, a knight who fought in the Hundred Years' War during the 14th century.
During the 16th and 17th centuries, the surname Ellie became more widespread across England, with several prominent families bearing the name. One such family was the Ellies of Wiltshire, who held land and estates in the area for generations.
Another notable individual with the surname Ellie was Sir William Ellie, a prominent lawyer and politician who served as a Member of Parliament during the reign of King Charles I in the 17th century.
Throughout the centuries, the surname Ellie has been associated with various place names, such as Ellie Green in Oxfordshire and Ellie Bridge in Gloucestershire, further reinforcing its English origins.
It is important to note that while the surname Ellie has a rich history in England, it has also been adopted and adapted in other regions and cultures, potentially leading to different interpretations and derivations of the name.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Ellie
Among Census respondents with the surname Ellie, the largest self-reported group is White at 74.0%. The next largest groups are Black (17.5%) and Asian/Pacific Islander (3.5%).
The bar chart below shows how Ellie 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 Ellie surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White74.0%
- Black or African American17.5%
- Asian and Pacific Islander3.5%
- Two or more races3.0%
- Unknown or suppressed2.0%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Ellie 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 | #87,729 | #91,981 | -4.8% |
| Count | 197 | 200 | 1.5% |
| Per 100K | 0.07 | 0.07 | 0.0% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Ellie bearers went from 197 to 200 (+1.5% change). The surname moved down 4,252 positions in the national ranking, going from #87,729 to #91,981.
FAQ
Ellie surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Ellie?
The surname Ellie holds position #91,981 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 240 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.07 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Ellie surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Ellie, the largest self-reported group is White at 74.0%. The next largest groups are Black (17.5%) and Asian/Pacific Islander (3.5%). 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.