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

Oshel, 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 Oshel surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Oshel in America

Oshel is the 53072nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Oshel surname appeared 390 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 Oshel.

We can also compare 2010 data for Oshel 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 Oshel

The surname OSHEL originated in the British Isles, specifically in England, during the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "hol," meaning a hollow or depression in the ground, possibly referring to someone who lived near a small valley or dip in the landscape.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which documented landowners and tenants across England after the Norman Conquest. The entry "Osehol" is listed among the inhabitants of Yorkshire, suggesting the name's presence in the region during that time.

Throughout history, the surname has undergone various spellings, including Osholl, Oshel, and Oshell, reflecting the phonetic variations common in the era before standardized spelling conventions were established.

In the 13th century, records show an individual named Robert Oshel residing in Gloucestershire, while a William Oshel was documented in the Pipe Rolls of Warwickshire in 1292.

During the 15th century, a notable figure named John Oshel (1422-1491) was a prominent merchant and landowner in the city of Bristol. His wealth and influence earned him a place among the city's elite, and he served as a alderman and mayor during his lifetime.

Another individual of note was Sir Thomas Oshel (1567-1628), a military commander who fought in the Anglo-Spanish War and the Thirty Years' War. He was knighted for his bravery and tactical leadership on the battlefield.

In the 18th century, the name appeared in literary circles with the poet and playwright Elizabeth Oshel (1721-1798), whose works were widely acclaimed and published during her lifetime.

Moving into the 19th century, James Oshel (1832-1903) was a prominent industrialist and philanthropist, establishing several factories and contributing significantly to the economic development of his hometown in Lancashire.

While these are just a few examples, the surname OSHEL has a long and storied history, originating in England and spreading throughout the British Isles and beyond, leaving its mark on various aspects of society, from commerce and literature to military service and industry.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Oshel

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

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

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

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