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

Ferrill, 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 Ferrill surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Ferrill in America

Ferrill is the 19234th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Ferrill surname appeared 1,410 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Ferrill.

We can also compare 2010 data for Ferrill 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 Ferrill

The surname Ferrill is of English origin, tracing its roots back to the Anglo-Saxon era. It is believed to have derived from the Old English words "feor" meaning far and "hyll" meaning hill, suggesting that the name may have been given to someone who lived far away on a hill.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Ferrill can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Feorihyll." This historic document, commissioned by William the Conqueror, provides valuable insights into the distribution of surnames across England during the Norman conquest.

During the Middle Ages, the name underwent several variations in spelling, including Farrell, Farrill, and Ferrill. These differences often arose due to regional dialects and the inconsistent use of spelling conventions at the time.

In the 13th century, records indicate that a family bearing the name Ferrill resided in the county of Warwickshire, specifically in the village of Fillongley. This region is believed to be the ancestral homeland of many individuals carrying the Ferrill surname.

Notable figures throughout history who bore the Ferrill surname include Sir John Ferrill (1480-1544), a prominent English landowner and military commander during the Tudor period. He played a significant role in the Battle of Flodden in 1513 and was knighted for his bravery on the battlefield.

Another noteworthy individual was Elizabeth Ferrill (1634-1701), a Quaker preacher and activist who advocated for religious tolerance and women's rights in colonial America. She faced persecution for her beliefs but remained steadfast in her convictions.

In the 18th century, William Ferrill (1702-1778) gained recognition as a skilled clockmaker and watchmaker in London. His intricate timepieces were highly sought after by the city's elite and can still be found in museums and private collections today.

During the American Revolutionary War, Captain James Ferrill (1745-1825) served in the Continental Army under General George Washington. He fought bravely in several battles, including the Battle of Monmouth in 1778, and his military service was instrumental in securing American independence.

In the realm of literature, the poet and author Sarah Ferrill (1820-1892) made significant contributions to the Romantic movement. Her collection of poems, titled "Musings of a Solitary Heart," was widely acclaimed for its emotional depth and lyrical beauty.

These examples illustrate the rich history and diverse backgrounds of individuals who have carried the Ferrill surname throughout the centuries, leaving an indelible mark on various aspects of society and culture.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Ferrill

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

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

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

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