Odonnell
A surname of Irish origin meaning "descendant of Domhnall," a personal name meaning "world ruler."
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 50,488 Americans carry the last name Odonnell. That puts it at #795 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 14.73 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 6,789 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Odonnell 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
50K
1 in 6,789
Census rank
#795
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
14.7
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
43K
uncommon in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 43,460 bearers of the surname Odonnell in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 14.73 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 795th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Odonnell, the largest self-reported group is White at 95.1%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.4%) and Two or More Races (1.2%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Odonnell
The surname O'Donnell is of Irish origin and dates back to the 12th century. It originated in County Donegal, located in the northern part of Ireland. The name is derived from the Gaelic Ó Dónaill, which means "descendant of Dónall" or "son of Dónall."
O'Donnell was the name of a powerful clan that ruled over a large territory in County Donegal for several centuries. The clan's influence extended beyond Donegal, and they played a significant role in Irish history. One of the earliest recorded references to the name can be found in the Annals of the Four Masters, a chronicle of medieval Irish history.
In the 14th century, Niall Óg O'Donnell (c. 1286-1368) was a prominent member of the O'Donnell clan and served as the King of Tír Conaill (Donegal). He was known for his military prowess and his involvement in conflicts with neighboring clans.
Another notable figure was Red Hugh O'Donnell (c. 1572-1602), an Irish chieftain and one of the leaders of the Nine Years' War against English rule in Ireland. He is celebrated for his daring escape from Dublin Castle and his efforts to resist the English conquest of Ireland.
In the 17th century, Rory O'Donnell (c. 1575-1608) was a prominent Irish nobleman and military commander. He fought alongside Red Hugh O'Donnell in the Nine Years' War and later fled Ireland during the Flight of the Earls in 1607.
The name O'Donnell has also been associated with various place names in County Donegal, such as Donegal Town, Ballyshannon, and Killybegs. These places were once part of the O'Donnell clan's territory and bear witness to their historical influence in the region.
Other notable figures with the surname O'Donnell include Patrick O'Donnell (1856-1927), an Irish nationalist and Member of Parliament, and Peadar O'Donnell (1893-1986), an Irish socialist and writer who was part of the Irish Republican Army during the Irish Revolutionary period.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Odonnell
Among Census respondents with the surname Odonnell, the largest self-reported group is White at 95.1%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.4%) and Two or More Races (1.2%).
The bar chart below shows how Odonnell 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 Odonnell surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White95.1%
- Hispanic or Latino2.4%
- Two or more races1.2%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.6%
- Black or African American0.5%
- American Indian and Alaska Native0.3%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Odonnell 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 | 2000 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #728 | #795 | -9.2% |
| Count | 42,802 | 43,460 | 1.5% |
| Per 100K | 15.87 | 14.73 | -7.2% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Odonnell bearers went from 42,802 to 43,460 (+1.5% change). The surname moved down 67 positions in the national ranking, going from #728 to #795.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Odonnell
FAQ
Odonnell surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Odonnell?
The surname Odonnell holds position #795 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 50,488 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 14.73 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Odonnell surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Odonnell, the largest self-reported group is White at 95.1%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.4%) and Two or More Races (1.2%). 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.