Nispel
A surname derived from a geographical location or place name.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 206 Americans carry the last name Nispel. That puts it at #95,545 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.06 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 1,663,856 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Nispel 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
206
1 in 1,663,856
Census rank
#95,545
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
191
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 191 bearers of the surname Nispel in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.06 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 95545th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Nispel, the largest self-reported group is White at 91.6%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (3.1%) and Two or More Races (2.6%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Nispel
The surname NISPEL originated in England during the 13th century. It is derived from the Old English words "hnipol" and "hnappian," which refer to a person who napped or slept frequently. The name was initially associated with individuals who had a tendency to doze off or were known for their sleepy dispositions.
In the early 14th century, the name NISPEL appeared in various county records and tax rolls across southern England, particularly in the counties of Sussex and Kent. The earliest recorded instance of the name can be found in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex from 1327, where a John Nispel is listed as a resident of the village of Rottingdean.
The NISPEL surname is also linked to the village of Nipsells, located in the county of Kent. This place name, which dates back to the 12th century, is believed to have influenced the spelling and pronunciation of the surname over time.
One of the notable figures associated with the NISPEL name was Sir William Nispel, a prominent merchant and landowner who lived in the 15th century. He was born in 1427 in the town of Rye, Sussex, and played a significant role in the local wool trade, amassing considerable wealth and influence during his lifetime.
In the 16th century, the NISPEL surname gained further recognition through the works of the playwright and poet, Thomas Nispel (1547-1624). Born in Stratford-upon-Avon, he is known for his contributions to the Elizabethan literary scene and his collaborations with other celebrated writers of the time.
Another prominent individual with the NISPEL surname was Elizabeth Nispel (1674-1734), a renowned botanist and herbalist from Kent. Her pioneering work in documenting and studying the medicinal properties of various plants earned her widespread acclaim and a place in the annals of early modern science.
During the 18th century, the NISPEL family established themselves as successful merchants and traders in the city of London. One member of this family, Robert Nispel (1723-1798), played a crucial role in the East India Company's spice trade and was instrumental in establishing trade routes with the Dutch East Indies.
The NISPEL surname also has connections to the field of military service. Major General John Nispel (1812-1887) was a highly decorated officer in the British Army who served in numerous campaigns, including the Crimean War and the Indian Rebellion of 1857.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Nispel
Among Census respondents with the surname Nispel, the largest self-reported group is White at 91.6%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (3.1%) and Two or More Races (2.6%).
The bar chart below shows how Nispel 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 Nispel surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White91.6%
- Hispanic or Latino3.1%
- Two or more races2.6%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Nispel 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 | #95,545 | #95,545 | 0.0% |
| Count | 191 | 191 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.06 | 0.06 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Nispel bearers went from 191 to 191 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #95,545 to #95,545.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Nispel
FAQ
Nispel surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Nispel?
The surname Nispel holds position #95,545 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 206 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.06 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Nispel surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Nispel, the largest self-reported group is White at 91.6%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (3.1%) and Two or More Races (2.6%). 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.