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

Firl, 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 Firl surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Firl in America

Firl is the 124548th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Firl surname appeared 138 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 Firl.

We can also compare 2010 data for Firl 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 Firl

The surname FIRL is of German origin, and its earliest recorded instances can be traced back to the 16th century in the southern regions of Germany. The name is believed to derive from the Old German word "firling," which referred to a young bull or calf.

During the Middle Ages, many German surnames were derived from occupational or descriptive nicknames, and FIRL may have been initially used to identify individuals who worked with cattle or had a physical resemblance to a young bull. The name's spelling has remained relatively consistent over the centuries, although variations such as "Firle" and "Fyrle" have been documented in some historical records.

One of the earliest known references to the FIRL surname can be found in the parish records of the town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber, located in Bavaria. In 1587, a certain Hans FIRL was mentioned as a resident of the town, suggesting that the name had already been established in the region by that time.

In the 17th century, the FIRL surname appears to have spread to other parts of Germany, with several notable individuals bearing the name. Johann FIRL (1604-1673) was a respected theologian and author from Nuremberg, who wrote extensively on religious topics and served as a pastor in various churches throughout his life.

Another notable figure from this period was Konrad FIRL (1629-1701), a renowned painter and engraver from Augsburg. His intricate works, which often depicted scenes from the Bible or classical mythology, were highly prized by collectors and patrons across Europe.

As the centuries progressed, the FIRL surname continued to be found in various regions of Germany, and some individuals with this name also migrated to neighboring countries. In the 19th century, a prominent family of artists and craftsmen bearing the FIRL surname emerged in the town of Oberammergau, Bavaria. They were renowned for their intricate woodcarvings and their participation in the town's famous Passion Play, a tradition that dates back to the 17th century.

One of the most notable members of this family was Johann FIRL (1802-1874), a skilled woodcarver who created numerous intricate pieces for churches and private collections throughout Europe. His son, Georg FIRL (1840-1920), continued the family tradition and achieved great acclaim for his own woodcarving works, many of which can still be seen in museums and churches across Germany and Austria.

Another noteworthy figure with the FIRL surname was Wilhelm FIRL (1876-1945), a German diplomat and politician who served as the German consul in various cities, including New York and San Francisco, in the early 20th century. Despite his diplomatic career, he was an outspoken critic of the Nazi regime and was eventually imprisoned for his opposition to the government.

While the FIRL surname may not be as widely recognized as some other German surnames, it has a rich history that spans several centuries and has produced individuals who have made significant contributions in fields ranging from religion and art to politics and diplomacy.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Firl

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

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

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

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