Gosnell
An English locational surname derived from a place name meaning "Gosa's hill" or "Gosa's hall."
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 8,055 Americans carry the last name Gosnell. That puts it at #5,060 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 2.35 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 42,552 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Gosnell 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
8.1K
1 in 42,552
Census rank
#5,060
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
2.4
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
6.9K
rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 6,931 bearers of the surname Gosnell in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 2.35 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 5060th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Gosnell, the largest self-reported group is White at 95.3%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (1.5%) and Two or More Races (1.5%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Gosnell
The surname Gosnell is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period, with roots tracing back to the 12th century. The name is thought to have derived from the Old English words "gos" meaning goose and "nell" meaning a small valley or stream, suggesting that the original bearers of this name may have resided near a stream frequented by geese.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire from 1195, where a person named Roger de Gosenhulle is mentioned. This spelling variation, "Gosenhulle," provides insight into the name's evolution over time.
The Gosnell surname is also associated with various place names across England, such as Gosnell's Leys in Bedfordshire and Gosnell's Green in Hertfordshire. These place names may have influenced the spelling and spread of the surname.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the Gosnell surname. One such person was John Gosnell (1625-1696), an English painter known for his still-life and portrait works. Another was Thomas Gosnell (1676-1742), a renowned maker of musical instruments, particularly violins, in London.
In the 18th century, William Gosnell (1756-1832) made a name for himself as a successful chemist and soap manufacturer in London. His company, Gosnell & Co., became renowned for its high-quality products and innovative techniques.
Moving into the 19th century, Reverend Peter Gosnell (1796-1869) was a respected Anglican clergyman and author, serving as the Vicar of St. Peter's Church in Wolverhampton.
Across the Atlantic, one of the earliest recorded instances of the Gosnell surname in America dates back to the late 17th century, when Thomas Gosnell (1660-1720) settled in Virginia and became a prominent landowner and planter.
While the Gosnell surname may have varied in spelling and distribution over the centuries, its origins can be traced back to the English countryside, where the name's meaning and history were deeply rooted in the landscape and occupations of its earliest bearers.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Gosnell
Among Census respondents with the surname Gosnell, the largest self-reported group is White at 95.3%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (1.5%) and Two or More Races (1.5%).
The bar chart below shows how Gosnell 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 Gosnell surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White95.3%
- Hispanic or Latino1.5%
- Two or more races1.5%
- Black or African American0.8%
- American Indian and Alaska Native0.5%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.3%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Gosnell 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 | 2000 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #4,640 | #5,060 | -9.1% |
| Count | 6,988 | 6,931 | -0.8% |
| Per 100K | 2.59 | 2.35 | -9.3% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Gosnell bearers went from 6,988 to 6,931 (-0.8% change). The surname moved down 420 positions in the national ranking, going from #4,640 to #5,060.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Gosnell
FAQ
Gosnell surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Gosnell?
The surname Gosnell holds position #5,060 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 8,055 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 2.35 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Gosnell surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Gosnell, the largest self-reported group is White at 95.3%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (1.5%) and Two or More Races (1.5%). 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.