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

Fales, 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 Fales surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Fales in America

Fales is the 12250th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Fales surname appeared 2,539 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 Fales.

We can also compare 2010 data for Fales 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 Fales

The surname Fales has its origins in England, tracing back to the medieval era. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "fælu," meaning "fallow" or "pale." This suggests that the name may have initially been a descriptive nickname given to someone with a pale complexion or associated with fallow land.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Sussex from 1230, where a certain Roger Fales is mentioned. This document provides evidence of the name's existence in the 13th century. The surname also appears in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire in 1273, further solidifying its presence in medieval England.

The name Fales is thought to have originated in various parts of England, including Sussex, Oxfordshire, and other southern counties. Over time, it has been spelled in different ways, such as Fayles, Failes, and Faylis, reflecting the variations in pronunciation and regional dialects.

In the 16th century, historical records mention a Thomas Fales, born around 1530 in Wrentham, Suffolk. He is believed to be an ancestor of many individuals bearing the Fales surname in the United States. Another notable figure was Robert Fales, a member of the Virginia Company, who played a role in the colonization of America in the early 17th century.

During the English Civil War in the mid-17th century, a John Fales served as a military officer under Oliver Cromwell's Parliamentarian forces. His service and loyalty to the Parliamentarian cause are documented in historical accounts of the time.

In the 18th century, Samuel Fales, born in 1695 in Massachusetts, gained recognition as a prominent shipbuilder and merchant. He contributed significantly to the maritime industry in colonial New England.

The 19th century saw the birth of James Fales, a renowned American artist and painter. Born in 1833 in Connecticut, his landscape paintings captured the beauty of the New England countryside and gained widespread acclaim.

Throughout its history, the surname Fales has been associated with various occupations, including farming, military service, shipbuilding, and artistic pursuits. While its origins can be traced back to medieval England, the name has spread across the globe, carried by individuals who have left their mark in diverse fields.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Fales

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

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

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

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