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

Mehl, 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 Mehl surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Mehl in America

Mehl is the 10847th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Mehl surname appeared 2,936 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Mehl.

We can also compare 2010 data for Mehl 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 Mehl

The surname MEHL originated in Germany and can be traced back to the Middle Ages. The name is derived from the German word "Mehl," which means "flour" or "meal." This suggests that the name may have been initially given to individuals who worked as millers or were involved in the production or trade of flour.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name MEHL appears in the 14th century in the town of Speyer, located in the modern-day German state of Rhineland-Palatinate. The name was documented in various municipal records and tax rolls from that period, indicating its presence in the region.

During the 16th century, the MEHL surname gained prominence in the city of Nuremberg, a major center for trade and craftsmanship. Several notable individuals bearing this name emerged from this area, including Johannes MEHL (1525-1598), a prominent goldsmith and master craftsman whose works were highly sought after by nobility and the wealthy.

The MEHL surname can also be found in historical records from other German regions, such as Bavaria and Saxony. In the 17th century, a branch of the MEHL family settled in the town of Freiberg, Saxony, where they established a successful milling business that operated for several generations.

One of the most notable individuals with the MEHL surname was Johann Matthias MEHL (1681-1743), a renowned German architect and master builder. He was responsible for designing and constructing numerous churches, public buildings, and private residences throughout Germany, including the iconic St. Michael's Church in Munich.

Another significant figure was Carl Friedrich MEHL (1796-1869), a German philosopher and educator. He served as a professor at the University of Heidelberg and made significant contributions to the field of ethics and moral philosophy through his writings and teachings.

In the 19th century, the MEHL surname gained international recognition with the achievements of Gustav MEHL (1822-1895), a German-American inventor and entrepreneur. He is best known for developing and patenting the first successful bottle-capping machine, which revolutionized the bottling industry.

The MEHL surname has also been associated with several prominent military figures throughout history. One such individual was Otto MEHL (1887-1953), a German general who served in both World War I and World War II, and played a crucial role in the defense of Berlin during the latter conflict.

While the MEHL surname may have originated from humble beginnings, it has left an indelible mark on various fields, including craftsmanship, architecture, philosophy, industry, and military service, spanning multiple centuries and regions across Europe and beyond.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Mehl

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

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

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

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