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

Needles, 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 Needles surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Needles in America

Needles is the 25272nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Needles surname appeared 980 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 Needles.

We can also compare 2010 data for Needles 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 Needles

The surname Needles originated in England during the late medieval period, deriving from the Old English word "nǽdl," which referred to a small, slender instrument used for sewing or knitting. This occupational name was likely bestowed upon individuals who were skilled in needle-making or sewing trades.

The earliest recorded instances of the name can be traced back to the 13th century, with references found in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire in 1279, where a person named Robert le Nedlere was mentioned. The prefix "le" was commonly used to denote a person's occupation or trade.

In the 14th century, variations of the name, such as Nedeler and Neldere, appeared in various records, including the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex in 1332, where a certain William le Neldere was listed. These early spellings reflect the fluidity of English surnames during that era.

One notable historical figure bearing this surname was Thomas Needles, a British naval officer who served in the Royal Navy during the late 18th century. Born in 1735, he achieved the rank of Rear Admiral and was involved in several battles during the American Revolutionary War and the French Revolutionary Wars.

Another prominent individual was John Needles, an English clergyman and academic who lived in the 17th century. Born in 1615, he served as the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge from 1660 to 1661 and held several positions within the Church of England.

In the realm of literature, the surname Needles appears in the works of William Shakespeare. In his play "The Taming of the Shrew," the character Christopher Sly is referred to as "Needles" in one of the stage directions, suggesting a possible connection to the needle-making trade.

Moving into the 19th century, Edward Needles Hallowell, an American military officer and explorer, made significant contributions to the mapping and exploration of the American West. Born in 1792, he participated in several expeditions and authored a book titled "The Emigrant's Guide to the West" in 1846.

Lastly, Mary Needles, a British artist and engraver, gained recognition for her intricate engravings and illustrations during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Born in 1784, her work was featured in various publications and exhibitions, showcasing her exceptional talent and skill.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Needles

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

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

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

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