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

Frails, 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 Frails surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Frails in America

Frails is the 88336th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Frails surname appeared 210 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 Frails.

We can also compare 2010 data for Frails 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 Frails

The surname Frails is believed to have originated in England during the late Middle Ages, around the 13th or 14th century. It is thought to be derived from the Old English word "frail," which referred to a basket or wicker container used for carrying goods. This suggests that the name may have been an occupational surname initially given to someone who made or sold these types of baskets.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Frails can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Worcestershire, a census-like record from 1273. This document mentions a John le Freyler, which is likely an early spelling variation of the name Frails. The presence of the surname in this record indicates that it was already in use by this time.

In the 15th century, there are records of a family named Frails residing in the village of Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire. This area was known for its wool trade, and it is possible that the Frails family may have been involved in the production or transportation of wool using their frail baskets.

During the 16th century, the surname Frails appears in various parish records across England. One notable individual from this time period was William Frails (c. 1530-1590), a merchant and landowner from Warwickshire. He was mentioned in several legal documents related to property transactions, indicating that the Frails family had achieved a certain level of prosperity by this point.

In the 17th century, the Frails surname can be found in various parts of England, including Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, and Gloucestershire. One notable figure was John Frails (1624-1688), a wealthy landowner and farmer from Westmorland. He was involved in several local disputes over land boundaries and rights, as recorded in court documents from the time.

Another significant individual was Elizabeth Frails (1650-1715), a prominent Quaker from Buckinghamshire. She was known for her writings and advocacy for religious tolerance, and her letters and pamphlets provide valuable insights into the Quaker community during this period.

In the 18th century, the Frails surname continued to be found across England, with some families migrating to other parts of the British Isles and even to the American colonies. One notable individual from this time was Samuel Frails (1720-1795), a skilled carpenter and shipbuilder from Devon. He is credited with contributing to the construction of several notable ships for the Royal Navy.

As the centuries passed, the Frails surname spread to various parts of the world, carried by individuals and families seeking new opportunities or fleeing persecution. While the name may have originated as an occupational surname related to basket-making, it has since become a part of the rich tapestry of family histories and cultural identities that make up the global community.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Frails

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

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

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

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