Fagler last name popularity, history, and meaning

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

Meaning of Fagler

A surname derived from the German word "Vogler" meaning a birdcatcher or fowler.

Fagler, 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 Fagler surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Fagler in America

Fagler is the 126400th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Fagler surname appeared 125 times in the 2000 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Fagler.

The history of the last name Fagler

The surname Fagler is believed to have its origins in the German-speaking regions of Europe, particularly in what is now modern-day Germany and Austria. Emerging in medieval times, this surname likely has roots that can be traced back to the Middle Ages, approximately the 12th to the 15th centuries. The name is thought to derive from older Germanic words or occupational titles.

One plausible origin of the surname Fagler is the Middle High German word "vagel," which translates to "bird." This suggests that the surname may have originally been an occupational name for someone who worked with birds, such as a bird catcher or someone involved in falconry. Another possibility is that it was a nickname for someone who resembled a bird in some way, either in appearance or behavior. Variants like Vogler are seen in historical records, reinforcing the avian connection.

Early records mentioning the surname Fagler or its variants are sparse but insightful. One of the earliest recorded instances can be found in a 14th-century manuscript detailing the citizens of a small village in what is now Bavaria. Similar variants, such as Vagler and Vogler, appear in various legal documents and tax records from the 15th and 16th centuries, suggesting that the name was relatively widespread.

By the 16th century, the surname Fagler had established its presence in several German principalities. A notable individual from this period is Hans Fagler, a farmer and landowner born in 1534 and recorded in the town of Augsburg. His name appears in municipal records concerning land disputes and local elections, providing a glimpse into the social and economic status of the Faglers during this era.

Moving into the 17th century, the name continues to appear in church registers and legal documents. For example, Maria Fagler, born in 1601, was listed in the baptismal records of St. Nikolaus Church in Innsbruck. Her family was known to be involved in local trade, particularly the spice and textiles market, indicating the surname's association with commerce.

Another significant historical figure with the surname Fagler was Johann Fagler, born in 1676, who served as a clerk for a baronial estate in the Hessian region. His meticulous record-keeping and contributions to estate management are commemorated in various surviving documents from that period.

In the 18th century, the Fagler surname continued to be found in German-speaking regions. An example from this period is Ludwig Fagler, born in 1723, noted in military records as a soldier in the Prussian army. He served with distinction during the War of Austrian Succession and was mentioned in various military dispatches and orders.

The name made its way to the New World in the 19th century, often through German immigrants seeking better opportunities. One such immigrant was Karl Fagler, who arrived in the United States in 1848 and settled in Pennsylvania. His descendants played a role in the burgeoning industrial landscape of the region, contributing to rail and steel industries.

In summary, the surname Fagler has a rich history deeply rooted in the German-speaking regions of medieval and early modern Europe. Its connections to occupational or descriptive origins, early instances in Bavarian records, and gradual spread through migration highlight the social mobility and adaptability of those bearing the name. The Faglers have made their mark in various fields over the centuries, reflecting the diverse paths taken by families across history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Fagler

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

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 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Fagler was:

Race/Ethnicity Percentage Total Occurrences
Non-Hispanic White Only 93.60% 117
Non-Hispanic Black Only 4.80% 6
Non-Hispanic Asian and Pacific Islander Only 0.00% 0
Non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaskan Native 0.00% 0
Non-Hispanic of Two or More Races (S)% (S)
Hispanic Origin (S)% (S)

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.

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

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!

"Fagler last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on June 7, 2025. http://namecensus.com/last-names/fagler-surname-popularity/.

"Fagler last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/last-names/fagler-surname-popularity/. Accessed 7 June, 2025

Fagler last name popularity, history, and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/last-names/fagler-surname-popularity/.

Search for a name

Search for a first or last name to learn more about its origin, meaning, and more.

Simple as that.