Mansell
Derived from the Old French word "mauncel," meaning a young man or servant.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 4,079 Americans carry the last name Mansell. That puts it at #9,283 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 1.19 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 84,029 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Mansell 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
4.1K
1 in 84,029
Census rank
#9,283
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
1.2
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
3.5K
rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 3,506 bearers of the surname Mansell in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 1.19 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 9283rd position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Mansell, the largest self-reported group is White at 85.9%. The next largest groups are Black (7.5%) and Hispanic (3.0%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Mansell
The surname Mansell is of English origin, derived from the Old English personal name 'Manswine', which translates to 'man's swine' or 'man's boar'. This name was likely given to someone who kept or bred pigs. The name can be traced back to the 11th century, with variations in spelling such as Maunsell, Mawnsel, and Moncell.
One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name is found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where a person named Manswine is listed as a landowner in Oxfordshire. The name also appears in various medieval records, such as the Pipe Rolls of 1166, where a William Mansel is mentioned as a tenant in Hertfordshire.
In the 13th century, a notable member of the Mansell family was Sir John Maunsell (c. 1190-1265), who served as the Lord Chancellor of England under King Henry III. He played a significant role in the administration of the kingdom and was involved in various political affairs of the time.
Another prominent figure with the surname Mansell was Sir Rice Mansell (c. 1585-1642), a Welsh merchant and member of parliament. He was known for his involvement in the colonization of Newfoundland and his role in the establishment of the Newfoundland Company.
During the 16th and 17th centuries, the Mansell surname was also associated with several place names in England, such as Mansell Gamage and Mansell Lacy, both located in Herefordshire. These place names likely derived from the surname itself, indicating the presence of the Mansell family in those areas.
In the 18th century, a notable bearer of the name was Sir William Mansell (1705-1778), a British naval officer who served in the Royal Navy during the War of the Austrian Succession and the Seven Years' War. He rose to the rank of Admiral and was knighted for his service.
Another person of note with the Mansell surname was James Mansell (1734-1824), an English engraver and portrait painter who was elected a member of the Royal Academy in 1807.
While the surname Mansell may have originated from humble beginnings, it has been carried by individuals from various walks of life throughout history, including nobility, merchants, military figures, and artists. The name's evolution and persistence reflect the rich tapestry of English heritage and the diverse stories woven into its fabric.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Mansell
Among Census respondents with the surname Mansell, the largest self-reported group is White at 85.9%. The next largest groups are Black (7.5%) and Hispanic (3.0%).
The bar chart below shows how Mansell 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 Mansell surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White85.9%
- Black or African American7.5%
- Hispanic or Latino3.0%
- Two or more races2.2%
- American Indian and Alaska Native0.9%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.5%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Mansell 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 | #9,283 | #9,283 | 0.0% |
| Count | 3,506 | 3,506 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 1.19 | 1.19 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Mansell bearers went from 3,506 to 3,506 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #9,283 to #9,283.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Mansell
FAQ
Mansell surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Mansell?
The surname Mansell holds position #9,283 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 4,079 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 1.19 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Mansell surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Mansell, the largest self-reported group is White at 85.9%. The next largest groups are Black (7.5%) and Hispanic (3.0%). 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.