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

Kelce, 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 Kelce surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Kelce in America

Kelce is the 126018th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Kelce surname appeared 136 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Kelce.

We can also compare 2010 data for Kelce 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 Kelce

The surname Kelce has its origins in England, with records indicating its presence as early as the 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "cælce," which translates to "chalk" or "limestone." This suggests that the name may have originated as a descriptive term for someone who lived near a chalky or limestone area.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Leicestershire, dated 1277, where it appears as "Kalce." This early spelling variation highlights the fluidity of surname spellings in medieval times, often influenced by regional dialects and individual scribes' preferences.

The Kelce surname has deep roots in the county of Derbyshire, particularly in the village of Crich, where it is thought to have first emerged. Records from the 14th century indicate that a family bearing this name resided in the area, with mentions of individuals such as John Kelce (born c. 1340) and William Kelce (born c. 1380).

In the 16th century, the Kelce family expanded their presence to other parts of England, including Yorkshire and Lancashire. Notable individuals from this period include Thomas Kelce (c. 1520-1585), a landowner and farmer from Derbyshire, and Richard Kelce (c. 1540-1612), a merchant from Yorkshire who was involved in the wool trade.

As the surname spread, it underwent various spelling variations, such as Kelsie, Kelsey, and Kelcey. These variations were often a result of regional pronunciation differences and the lack of standardized spelling conventions at the time.

One notable figure in the history of the Kelce surname was Sir Robert Kelce (1620-1687), a member of Parliament and landowner from Derbyshire. He played a significant role in local politics and was actively involved in the English Civil War, supporting the Parliamentarian cause.

Another prominent individual was Elizabeth Kelce (1678-1744), a writer and poet from Lancashire. Her collection of poetry, titled "The Poetical Works of Elizabeth Kelce," gained recognition in literary circles of the time.

The Kelce surname also has ties to the United States, with several individuals bearing this name arriving in the early colonial period. One such figure was William Kelce (c. 1690-1760), who immigrated from England to Virginia in the early 18th century and established a successful farming enterprise.

Throughout its history, the surname Kelce has been represented across various professions and walks of life, from landowners and merchants to writers and politicians. While its origins can be traced back to medieval England, the name has since spread globally, reflecting the diverse journeys and stories of those who carried it forward.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Kelce

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

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

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

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