Kristel
A surname of Greek origin meaning "follower of Christ."
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 171 Americans carry the last name Kristel. That puts it at #115,639 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.05 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 2,004,411 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Kristel 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
171
1 in 2,004,411
Census rank
#115,639
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
151
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 151 bearers of the surname Kristel in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.05 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 115639th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Kristel, the largest self-reported group is White at 92.7%. The next largest groups are Asian/Pacific Islander (3.3%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Kristel
The surname Kristel is believed to have originated in the Netherlands and Germany during the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Dutch word 'kristel', which means 'crystal' or 'glass'. The name likely referred to a person who worked as a glass maker or seller.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Kristel can be found in a Dutch census record from the year 1524, where a man named Pieter Kristel was listed as a resident of Amsterdam. Another early reference is found in a German church record from 1587, which mentions a woman named Katharina Kristel.
In the 17th century, the name Kristel appears in various Dutch and German records, often associated with towns and villages known for their glass-making industries. For example, in 1642, a man named Hans Kristel was recorded as a glass blower in the town of Naumburg, Germany.
One notable bearer of the name Kristel was the Dutch painter, Jan Kristel (1624-1672), who was renowned for his still-life paintings depicting glassware and other objects. Another prominent figure was the German philosopher and writer, Johann Kristel (1637-1714), who wrote extensively on ethics and moral philosophy.
In the 19th century, the name Kristel spread to other parts of Europe, including France and England, where it was sometimes anglicized as 'Cristal' or 'Crystal'. One such individual was the French novelist, Marguerite Kristel (1875-1942), who wrote several historical novels set during the French Revolution.
Other notable individuals with the surname Kristel include the Dutch actress, Sylvia Kristel (1952-2012), who gained international fame for her role in the erotic film "Emmanuelle", and the German professional footballer, Tobias Kristel (born 1982), who played for several Bundesliga clubs.
While the surname Kristel is not as common as some other Dutch or German surnames, it has a rich history and connection to the glass-making industry of the past. Its origins can be traced back to the Middle Ages and the name has been borne by artists, writers, and other notable figures throughout the centuries.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Kristel
Among Census respondents with the surname Kristel, the largest self-reported group is White at 92.7%. The next largest groups are Asian/Pacific Islander (3.3%).
The bar chart below shows how Kristel 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 Kristel surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White92.7%
- Asian and Pacific Islander3.3%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Kristel 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 | #115,639 | #115,639 | 0.0% |
| Count | 151 | 151 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.05 | 0.05 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Kristel bearers went from 151 to 151 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #115,639 to #115,639.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Kristel
FAQ
Kristel surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Kristel?
The surname Kristel holds position #115,639 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 171 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.05 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Kristel surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Kristel, the largest self-reported group is White at 92.7%. The next largest groups are Asian/Pacific Islander (3.3%). 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.