Handel
Derived from the German word for "hand," likely referring to a skilled worker or craftsman.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 2,742 Americans carry the last name Handel. That puts it at #12,971 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.80 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 125,002 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Handel 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
2.7K
1 in 125,002
Census rank
#12,971
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.8
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
2.4K
rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 2,367 bearers of the surname Handel in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.80 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 12971st position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Handel, the largest self-reported group is White at 93.4%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (3.8%) and Two or More Races (1.1%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Handel
The surname Handel has its origins in Germany, and it is believed to have emerged around the 12th century. The name is thought to be derived from the Old German word "handal," which means "trade" or "commerce." This suggests that the name was likely initially associated with merchants or traders.
The earliest known record of the Handel surname dates back to the 13th century, with references found in various medieval manuscripts and records from different regions of Germany. One notable mention is in the Codex Diplomaticus Brandenburgensis, a collection of historical documents from the Brandenburg region, where the name "Handel" appears in entries from the late 13th century.
The name Handel has also been linked to various place names throughout Germany, such as Handelsblatt, a town in the state of Hesse, which translates to "trade sheet" or "commercial paper." This further reinforces the connection between the surname and the concept of trade or commerce.
Among the notable individuals who have borne the surname Handel is the renowned Baroque composer Georg Friedrich Handel (1685-1759). Born in Halle, Germany, Handel is considered one of the greatest composers of the Baroque era and is best known for his operas, oratorios, and instrumental works, including the celebrated "Messiah."
Another prominent figure with the Handel surname is the German astronomer Ernst Handel (1853-1915), who made significant contributions to the study of asteroids and comets. He discovered several asteroids during his career and had one named after him, Asteroid 2682 Handel.
In the realm of literature, the German writer and poet Gottfried Handel (1771-1849) gained recognition for his work in the Romantic period. He is particularly known for his lyrical poetry and his contributions to the development of German literature in the early 19th century.
The Handel surname can also be found in historical records from other parts of Europe, such as the Netherlands and parts of Eastern Europe. For instance, the Dutch painter Theodoor Handel (1668-1737) was a notable figure in the Golden Age of Dutch painting, known for his genre scenes and portraits.
While the Handel surname has its roots in Germany, it has since spread to various parts of the world through migration and diaspora. However, the name's origins and historical associations with trade and commerce remain an integral part of its rich heritage.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Handel
Among Census respondents with the surname Handel, the largest self-reported group is White at 93.4%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (3.8%) and Two or More Races (1.1%).
The bar chart below shows how Handel 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 Handel surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White93.4%
- Hispanic or Latino3.8%
- Two or more races1.1%
- Black or African American0.8%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Handel 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 | #12,971 | #12,971 | 0.0% |
| Count | 2,367 | 2,367 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.80 | 0.80 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Handel bearers went from 2,367 to 2,367 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #12,971 to #12,971.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Handel
FAQ
Handel surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Handel?
The surname Handel holds position #12,971 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 2,742 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.80 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Handel surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Handel, the largest self-reported group is White at 93.4%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (3.8%) and Two or More Races (1.1%). 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.