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

Isbell, 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 Isbell surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Isbell in America

Isbell is the 3594th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Isbell surname appeared 9,905 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 3 people would have the surname Isbell.

We can also compare 2010 data for Isbell 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 Isbell

The surname Isbell is of English origin, tracing its roots back to the medieval period. Derived from the Old English word "Isebell," which means "iron bell," the name initially referred to individuals who were responsible for ringing church bells or maintaining them.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Isbell surname can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Isebell" in the county of Gloucestershire. This historical document provides valuable insights into the distribution and prevalence of surnames during the Norman conquest of England.

As the surname evolved over time, various spellings emerged, including Isebell, Isbell, Isbel, and Isebel. These variations can be attributed to regional dialects and the inconsistencies in record-keeping during that era. The name was particularly concentrated in the counties of Gloucestershire, Worcestershire, and Herefordshire.

One notable individual bearing the Isbell surname was Sir John Isbell (1538-1612), a prominent English landowner and member of parliament for Gloucestershire during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. His estate, Isbell Manor, located in the village of Kemerton, remains a testament to the family's influence and legacy.

Another significant figure in history was Richard Isbell (1672-1744), an English clergyman and author who served as the rector of St. Mary's Church in Islington, London. He is best remembered for his influential theological writings, including "A Vindication of the Church of England" and "The Reasonableness of Christianity."

In the literary realm, Elizabeth Isbell (1809-1884) gained recognition as a prolific writer and poet in the 19th century. Her works, which often explored themes of nature and spirituality, were widely published in various literary journals and anthologies of her time.

The Isbell surname also found its way across the Atlantic Ocean, with notable individuals such as John Isbell (1775-1857), an American pioneer and farmer who played a significant role in the early settlement of Tennessee. His descendants went on to establish the town of Isbell, Tennessee, further solidifying the family's presence in the region.

Throughout history, the Isbell surname has been associated with various occupations, from landowners and clergymen to authors and pioneers, reflecting the diverse paths taken by those who bore this name. While its origins can be traced back to medieval England, the Isbell surname has left an indelible mark on various aspects of society, both in the Old World and the New.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Isbell

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

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

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

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