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

Jewell's, 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 Jewell's surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Jewell's in America

Jewell's is the 143847th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Jewell's surname appeared 106 times in the 2000 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Jewell's.

The history of the last name Jewell's

The surname Jewels has its origins in the British Isles, particularly in England. The history of this surname dates back to the medieval period, around the 12th to 14th centuries. The name Jewels is derived from the Old French word "juel," which means "jewel" or "gem," indicating that the name likely referred to someone who worked with or handled jewels, such as a jeweler or gem dealer.

The earliest recorded examples of the surname Jewels appear in medieval England. Historical references suggest that the name was present in various forms, such as Juel, Jewell, and Jewels. One of the earliest instances is from the Hundred Rolls of 1273, where a Richard Juel is noted. This document, which aimed to record landowners and their assets, provides a glimpse into the early usage and presence of the name.

In the 16th century, one of the most notable individuals bearing this surname was John Jewell (1522-1571), who served as the Bishop of Salisbury. John Jewell was a prominent figure in the English Reformation and is well-known for his writings in defense of the Anglican Church. His surname, often spelled as Jewell, likely influenced the consistency in the spelling of Jewels in subsequent generations.

Another historical bearers of the surname include Sir Matthew Jewels, an English merchant in the 1500s who was involved in trade between England and the Mediterranean. His activities are recorded in various commercial documents and ship manifests from the period. The Jewels name figure prominently in the records of Bristol, a historical port city, indicating their involvement in maritime trade.

In the 17th century, a Thomas Jewels appears in the parish records of Devon, a county in southwest England. These records detail his life as a local blacksmith, a trade that, while unrelated to jewelry, signifies the diverse occupations the bearers of the Jewels name undertook.

By the 18th century, the surname had spread beyond England to other parts of the British Isles and overseas colonies. One notable individual from this period is William Jewels, who emigrated to the American colonies in the early 1700s and settled in Virginia. Records from this time period document his contributions as a landowner and farmer, establishing the presence of the Jewels name in the New World.

The surname Jewels, rich in history, showcases the evolution from its occupational roots to a name borne by individuals across various walks of life. The legacy of the Jewels name illustrates a fascinating journey from medieval England to the global stage, with its bearers contributing to different facets of society through the centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Jewell's

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Jewell's.

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 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Jewell's 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.

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 Jewell's was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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