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

Neel, 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 Neel surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Neel in America

Neel is the 4887th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Neel surname appeared 7,209 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 2 people would have the surname Neel.

We can also compare 2010 data for Neel 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 Neel

The surname NEEL is believed to have originated in Scotland during the medieval period. It is derived from the Gaelic word "nial" or "niall," which means "champion" or "cloud." This name was commonly used among Celtic clans in the Scottish Highlands and islands.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the NEEL surname can be found in the Ragman Rolls, a document that recorded the names of Scottish nobles who swore allegiance to King Edward I of England in the late 13th century. The name appears as "Niall" and "Niel" in these rolls, which date back to the years 1296 and 1298.

During the 14th century, the NEEL surname was particularly prevalent in the regions of Ayrshire and Argyll, where several prominent families bore this name. Notable figures from this era include Sir Robert Neel, a knight who fought alongside Robert the Bruce in the Wars of Scottish Independence, and Duncan Neel, a chieftain of the Clan Neel in Argyll.

In the 15th century, the NEEL surname began to spread to other parts of Scotland and the British Isles. One prominent individual from this time was John Neel, who served as the Archbishop of St. Andrews from 1440 to 1459. He played a significant role in the governance and religious affairs of Scotland during the reign of King James II.

As the centuries progressed, the NEEL surname evolved and took on various spellings, such as Neil, Neile, and Neall. In the 17th century, a notable figure was Sir Paul Neele, a Scottish mathematician and astronomer who made important contributions to the study of celestial mechanics.

During the 18th and 19th centuries, several individuals bearing the NEEL surname achieved prominence in various fields. James Neel (1737-1810) was a Scottish poet and playwright, while John Neele (1793-1876) was a renowned English artist and engraver. Additionally, Thomas Neele (1798-1876) was a respected architect who designed several notable buildings in London.

Another notable figure was James Neel (1857-1932), a Scottish-born American businessman and philanthropist who made significant contributions to the development of the steel industry in the United States. He founded the Neel Steel Company and was known for his philanthropic endeavors in supporting education and healthcare initiatives.

Throughout history, the NEEL surname has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including soldiers, clergymen, artists, scientists, and entrepreneurs. While the name may have evolved in spelling and pronunciation over time, its Scottish origins and connection to the Gaelic language have remained a significant part of its legacy.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Neel

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

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

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

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