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

Osler, 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 Osler surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Osler in America

Osler is the 25171st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Osler surname appeared 985 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 Osler.

We can also compare 2010 data for Osler 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 Osler

The surname Osler originated in England, traced back to the early Middle Ages. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "oslere," meaning a supplier or dealer of wood ash. This ash was an essential component in the soap-making process during that era.

The earliest known recorded mention of the Osler surname can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Oslarius." This suggests that individuals bearing this name were likely involved in the trade or production of wood ash around the time of the Norman Conquest.

During the 13th century, the name was documented in various records from counties such as Shropshire and Staffordshire, where the Osler family had established roots. One notable entry comes from the Hundred Rolls of 1273, which mentions a Robert le Oslere from Shropshire.

In the 14th century, the surname appeared in various spellings, including Oslere, Oseler, and Oslier, reflecting the inconsistencies in spelling conventions during that period. One example is found in the Subsidy Rolls of 1327, which lists a John Oslere from Staffordshire.

Sir William Osler (1849-1919), a renowned Canadian physician and one of the founding professors at Johns Hopkins Hospital, is perhaps the most famous bearer of this surname. He is often referred to as the "Father of Modern Medicine" for his significant contributions to medical education and practice.

Another notable figure was John Osler (1760-1824), an English engraver and printmaker known for his landscape etchings and aquatints. His works were highly regarded during the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

In the 16th century, the surname Osler was associated with several place names in England, such as Osler's Green in Staffordshire and Osler's Wood in Worcestershire, further reinforcing the connection to the ash trade or production.

During the 17th and 18th centuries, the Osler family continued to spread throughout various regions of England, with records indicating their presence in counties like Gloucestershire, Warwickshire, and Oxfordshire.

One additional notable figure was Reverend Edward Osler (1798-1863), an English clergyman and author who published several works on religion and theology during the Victorian era.

The surname Osler has a rich history rooted in the early English countryside, initially associated with the trade and production of wood ash. Over the centuries, it has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including renowned medical professionals, artists, and scholars.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Osler

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

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

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

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