Neville
From a place name derived from the Norman French for "new town," or from a French surname meaning "son of Nevel."
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 13,642 Americans carry the last name Neville. That puts it at #3,053 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 3.98 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 25,125 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Neville 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
14K
1 in 25,125
Census rank
#3,053
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
4.0
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
12K
uncommon in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 11,739 bearers of the surname Neville in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 3.98 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 3053rd position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Neville, the largest self-reported group is White at 84.4%. The next largest groups are Black (10.9%) and Hispanic (2.1%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Neville
The surname Neville originated in Normandy, France, and was derived from the Old French words "nouvel" meaning "new" and "ville" meaning "town." It was initially a place name referring to someone who lived in a new town or settlement. The name was introduced to England by Norman settlers after the conquest of 1066.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Neville can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Nevill" and "Nevilla." This indicates that the name was already well-established in England by the late 11th century.
The Neville family played a prominent role in English history, particularly during the Wars of the Roses in the 15th century. Richard Neville, known as the "Kingmaker" (1428-1471), was a powerful English nobleman and military commander who played a pivotal role in the conflicts between the Houses of York and Lancaster.
Another notable figure with the surname Neville was Geoffrey de Neville (c. 1200-1285), a medieval English nobleman and baron who served as a prominent military commander and statesman during the reigns of Henry III and Edward I.
In the 16th century, Sir Henry Neville (1562-1615) was an English diplomat and writer who served as ambassador to France and played a significant role in the Renaissance period.
Moving forward to the 18th century, Nathaniel Neville (1655-1721) was an English author and satirist known for his work "The Isle of Pines," which is considered one of the earliest works of utopian fiction.
In the 19th century, John Neville (1825-1886) was a British actor and theatre manager who was instrumental in reviving the works of William Shakespeare and establishing the prestigious Sadler's Wells Theatre in London.
These are just a few examples of the many notable individuals throughout history who have carried the surname Neville. The name's origins can be traced back to Normandy, France, and it has been a part of English history for over nine centuries, with many prominent figures bearing this surname in various fields.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Neville
Among Census respondents with the surname Neville, the largest self-reported group is White at 84.4%. The next largest groups are Black (10.9%) and Hispanic (2.1%).
The bar chart below shows how Neville 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 Neville surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White84.4%
- Black or African American10.9%
- Hispanic or Latino2.1%
- Two or more races1.6%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.7%
- American Indian and Alaska Native0.4%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Neville 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 | #3,053 | #3,053 | 0.0% |
| Count | 11,739 | 11,739 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 3.98 | 3.98 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Neville bearers went from 11,739 to 11,739 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #3,053 to #3,053.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Neville
FAQ
Neville surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Neville?
The surname Neville holds position #3,053 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 13,642 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 3.98 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Neville surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Neville, the largest self-reported group is White at 84.4%. The next largest groups are Black (10.9%) and Hispanic (2.1%). 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.