Friel
An Irish surname derived from the Gaelic Ó Firghil, meaning "descendant of Fearghal" (a personal name meaning "brave" or "courageous").
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 5,450 Americans carry the last name Friel. That puts it at #7,113 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 1.59 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 62,891 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Friel surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
5.5K
1 in 62,891
Census rank
#7,113
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
1.6
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
4.7K
rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 4,703 bearers of the surname Friel in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 1.59 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 7113th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Friel, the largest self-reported group is White at 93.8%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.7%) and Two or More Races (1.8%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Friel
The surname Friel originated in Ireland, deriving from the Gaelic word "fraoich," which means "heather." This name likely emerged during the 12th or 13th century, as Irish surnames began to develop from descriptive nicknames or references to a person's physical characteristics, occupation, or location.
The Friel surname was most prevalent in Ulster, particularly in counties Donegal and Derry. It is believed that the name may have originated in the area known as Inishowen, a peninsula in County Donegal. The earliest recorded spelling of the name was "O'Friel," indicating that it was initially a patronymic surname, derived from a progenitor named Friel.
One of the earliest known references to the name can be found in the Annals of Ulster, a chronicle of medieval Irish history. In the entry for the year 1261, a man named Gofraig O'Friel is mentioned as the chief of the Cenél Conaill, a prominent Irish dynasty.
In the 16th century, a notable figure bearing the Friel surname was Muircheartach O'Friel, a member of the Franciscan order and a renowned scholar. He was born in Donegal around 1510 and is known for his translations of various religious texts into the Irish language.
Another prominent individual with the surname Friel was Brian Friel, a celebrated Irish playwright and author. Born in 1929 in Omagh, County Tyrone, he is best known for his plays such as "Philadelphia, Here I Come!" and "Dancing at Lughnasa," which won the Tony Award for Best Play in 1992.
In the 19th century, a notable figure named James Friel gained recognition as a scientist and meteorologist. Born in County Donegal in 1829, he made significant contributions to the study of atmospheric phenomena and was instrumental in the development of weather forecasting techniques.
The Friel surname has also been associated with several place names in Ireland, such as Friel's Brae and Friel's Hill in County Donegal, further reinforcing its historical roots in the region.
Throughout history, the surname Friel has been recorded with various spellings, including Freel, Freill, and O'Friel, reflecting the evolution of orthography and regional variations in pronunciation.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Friel
Among Census respondents with the surname Friel, the largest self-reported group is White at 93.8%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.7%) and Two or More Races (1.8%).
The bar chart below shows how Friel bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Friel surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White93.8%
- Hispanic or Latino2.7%
- Two or more races1.8%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.8%
- Black or African American0.6%
- American Indian and Alaska Native0.4%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Friel surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #7,113 | #7,113 | 0.0% |
| Count | 4,703 | 4,703 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 1.59 | 1.59 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Friel bearers went from 4,703 to 4,703 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #7,113 to #7,113.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Friel
FAQ
Friel surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Friel?
The surname Friel holds position #7,113 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 5,450 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 1.59 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Friel surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Friel, the largest self-reported group is White at 93.8%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.7%) and Two or More Races (1.8%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.