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

Ensley, 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 Ensley surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Ensley in America

Ensley is the 8174th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Ensley surname appeared 4,055 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 Ensley.

We can also compare 2010 data for Ensley 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 Ensley

The surname Ensley has its origins rooted in the English language, stemming from the Old English word "enedene," which translates to "valley of the ducks" or "duck valley." This name likely originated in an area where ducks were abundant, potentially near a river or lake.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Ensley can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of landholdings commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The entry lists a landowner named Aenselm de Enedene, indicating that variations of the name were already in use during this time period.

In the 13th century, the surname was often spelled as "Enedene" or "Ennedene," reflecting its roots in the Old English language. As time passed, the spelling evolved to the more modern form of "Ensley," which became prevalent by the 16th century.

The name Ensley has been associated with various locations throughout England, particularly in the counties of Staffordshire and Warwickshire. These areas were once home to individuals bearing this surname, as evidenced by historical records and place names that incorporated variations of the name.

One notable individual with the surname Ensley was Sir John Ensley, who lived in the 15th century and served as a prominent member of the English gentry. Another prominent figure was William Ensley, a 17th-century merchant and landowner from Staffordshire, who was known for his philanthropic work in the local community.

In the 19th century, the Ensley family played a significant role in the industrial revolution, with several members establishing successful businesses in the manufacturing sector. One such individual was Thomas Ensley, born in 1812, who founded the Ensley Iron Works in Birmingham, England, which became a major producer of iron and steel products.

Another notable figure was Elizabeth Ensley, born in 1845, who was a pioneering educator and advocate for women's rights. She established several schools for girls in England and campaigned tirelessly for equal educational opportunities for women.

As the surname spread across the globe, it has been associated with various notable individuals throughout history, including authors, artists, and politicians. However, the origins of the name Ensley can be traced back to the Old English language and the areas of England where it first emerged.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Ensley

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

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

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

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