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

Fernald, 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 Fernald surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Fernald in America

Fernald is the 15289th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Fernald surname appeared 1,920 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 Fernald.

We can also compare 2010 data for Fernald 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 Fernald

The surname Fernald has its origins in England, dating back to the 13th century. It is believed to have been derived from the Old English words "fearn" meaning fern and "halh" meaning a nook or remote valley, thus suggesting a connection to a fern-covered valley or secluded location.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire, a census-like record from 1273, where it appears as "Farnhall." This spelling variation highlights the evolving nature of surnames during that era, with regional dialects and spelling inconsistencies contributing to the name's transformations.

In the 14th century, the surname appears in various forms, such as "Fernhale" and "Fernehalgh," further reflecting the influences of local pronunciations and scribal interpretations. These variations persisted until the 16th century when the modern spelling of "Fernald" became more standardized.

The surname Fernald has been associated with several notable individuals throughout history. One of the earliest recorded bearers of the name was John Fernald, born in 1584 in Devonshire, England. He later emigrated to the American colonies and settled in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, becoming one of the earliest settlers in that region.

Another prominent figure was William Fernald, born in 1619 in London. He was a successful merchant and landowner, owning properties in both England and the American colonies. His descendants played significant roles in the development of New England during the 17th and 18th centuries.

In the literary realm, Mary Fernald, born in 1844 in Maine, was a renowned poet and author, known for her works celebrating the beauty of nature and rural life in New England. Her poetry collections, such as "Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow," earned her critical acclaim during her lifetime.

The name has also been associated with scientific and academic pursuits. Walter Fernald, born in 1859 in Maine, was a prominent psychologist and educator. He served as the superintendent of the Massachusetts School for the Feeble-Minded (later renamed the Walter E. Fernald State School) and made significant contributions to the field of special education and the care of individuals with intellectual disabilities.

Lastly, Merritt Fernald, born in 1838 in Maine, was a respected botanist and educator. He served as the president of the Maine State College (now the University of Maine) and authored several influential works on plant taxonomy and the flora of New England.

While the surname Fernald has evolved over centuries, its roots can be traced back to England's rural landscapes, where it likely originated as a descriptive name for individuals residing in fern-covered valleys or nooks. Despite its humble beginnings, the name has been borne by notable individuals across various fields, leaving an indelible mark on history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Fernald

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

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

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

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