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

Norval, 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 Norval surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Norval in America

Norval is the 94311th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Norval surname appeared 194 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 Norval.

We can also compare 2010 data for Norval 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 Norval

The surname Norval has its origins in the Scottish Lowlands, with the earliest recorded instances dating back to the 12th century. It is thought to have derived from the Old English words "nor" and "feld," meaning "north field," or a northern area of farmland. Alternatively, some sources suggest that it may have originated from the name of a Scottish village called Norval, located near East Kilbride.

One of the earliest known references to the Norval name can be found in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, a historical record of Scottish nobles and landowners who swore allegiance to King Edward I of England during the Wars of Scottish Independence. The entry mentions a "Walter de Norval," indicating that individuals bearing this surname were present in Scotland during this turbulent period.

The Norval name has also been linked to various place names throughout Scotland, such as Norval Burn, a stream that flows through the village of Norval, and Norval Hill, a prominent landmark in the area. These geographical connections further reinforce the name's Scottish origins and its association with specific locations.

Several notable individuals have borne the surname Norval throughout history. One such figure was Sir John Norval (1744-1823), a Scottish naval officer who served in the Royal Navy during the American Revolutionary War and the Napoleonic Wars. He was renowned for his bravery and tactical acumen, earning numerous honors and distinctions for his service.

Another noteworthy bearer of the Norval name was Robert Norval (1847-1914), a Scottish architect who played a significant role in the design and construction of several prominent buildings in Glasgow during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His works include the iconic Glasgow City Chambers and the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum.

In the realm of literature, the surname Norval is perhaps most famously associated with the character of the same name in the tragic play "Douglas" by John Home (1722-1808). The character of Norval, a young man of humble origins who becomes a hero, has become a cultural icon and a symbol of Scottish pride and resilience.

Other notable individuals with the Norval surname include William Norval (1834-1911), a Scottish-born Australian politician and mining entrepreneur who played a pivotal role in the development of the gold mining industry in Western Australia, and Eliza Norval (1808-1877), a Scottish author and poet whose works often explored themes of Scottish identity and heritage.

The Norval surname has a rich and diverse history, deeply rooted in the landscapes and cultural traditions of Scotland. While its origins can be traced back to the 12th century, the name has continued to resonate through the centuries, carried by individuals who have made significant contributions across various fields, from military service and architecture to literature and politics.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Norval

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

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

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

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